Role of corneal collagen cross-linking with riboflavin in keratoconus

AIM: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of corneal collagen cross-linking with riboflavin (C3R) in keratoconus and its role in preventing the disease progression. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a prospective interventional study conducted on patients with progressive keratoconus who presented to the Cornea Clinic, at a tertiary eye care hospital in Tamilnadu over a 20 month period (April 2011 to November 2012) with a follow-up of one year were enrolled. The outcome measures such as uncorrected visual acuity, best corrected visual acuity, spherical equivalent, cylindrical error, keratometry values (Kmax, Kmin, Kavg), and the rate of development of complications if any, were analysed at one month, 6 months and at one year post-C3R. RESULTS: Fifty eyes of 38 patients comprising 20 males (53%) and 18 females (47%) with progressive keratoconus with a mean age of 19.2 ± 4.5 years (range: 11-25 years), were included. Visual acuity improved significantly from the baseline till one year of follow-up in all treated eyes. (p<0.0001).There was gradual reduction in the keratometry readings throughout the follow-up period in a significant manner (p