title: Stromal demarcation line induced by corneal cross-linking in eyes with keratoconus and nonkeratoconic asymmetric topography.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate stromal demarcation lines following corneal cross-linking (CXL) using anterior segment optical coherence tomography in patients with keratoconus and nonkeratoconic asymmetric topography.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifth-nine eyes of 59 patients were enrolled in a retrospective comparative case series, of which 19 eyes had keratoconus and 40 eyes had asymmetric topography. Eyes with asymmetric topography were treated in preparation for photorefractive keratectomy. One month after CXL, a stromal demarcation line was evaluated at 5 standardized corneal points using anterior segment optical coherence tomography.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean stromal demarcation line depths were measured at 5 points on the cornea, namely, centrally, 3.0 mm temporally, 1.5 mm temporally, 3.0 mm nasally, and 1.5 mm nasally. For the keratoconus group, the values were 178 ± 47, 123 ± 15, 152 ± 47, 125 ± 23, and 160 ± 43 μm, respectively. For the asymmetric corneal topography group (without keratoconus), they were 305 ± 64, 235 ± 57, 294 ± 50, 214 ± 54, and 285 ± 58 μm, respectively. There was no correlation between central corneal pachymetry and stromal demarcation line depth in all 5 measured corneal points in both groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  CXL treatment profiles are similar in keratoconic and nonkeratoconic eyes with asymmetric topography.
authors.affiliation: *Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil; and †Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, W.K. Kellogg Eye Center, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI.
authors.forename: João B N
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Malta
authors.forename: Adimara C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Renesto
authors.forename: Bernardo K
authors.initials: BK
authors.lastname: Moscovici
authors.forename: H K
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Soong
authors.forename: Mauro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Campos
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003094:Collagen / Q000378:metabolism; D063171:Corneal Pachymetry; D003319:Corneal Stroma / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D019781:Corneal Topography; D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007640:Keratoconus / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018903:Photorefractive Keratectomy; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012256:Riboflavin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D041623:Tomography, Optical Coherence; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays; D014792:Visual Acuity; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents; D003094:Collagen; D012256:Riboflavin