ESCRS - PO0614 - The Comparison Of Cornel Epithelial Thickness In Keratoconus Patients With Or Without Cross-Linking

The Comparison Of Cornel Epithelial Thickness In Keratoconus Patients With Or Without Cross-Linking

Published 2023 - 41st Congress of the ESCRS

Reference: PO0614 | Type: Free paper | DOI: 10.82333/j7p9-fc80

Authors: Mehmet Vural* 1 , Yucel Yigit 2 , Gozde Sahin Vural 3

1Ophthalmology,Balıkesir Ataturk Research Hospital,Balıkesir,Türkiye, 2Ophthalmology,Balıkesir University,Balıkesir,Türkiye, 3Balıkesir University,Balıkesir,Türkiye

Purpose

To compare the corneal epithelialial properties with or without corneal collagen cross-linking (CXL) in keratoconus patients. 

Setting

Balıkesir University

Cross-sectional

Methods

The patients who were diagnosed as keratoconus at Balıkesir University Medicine Faculty between January 2022-2023 were included. The patients were divided into two groups as without CXL (Group 1), and with CXL (Group 2). The patients underwent a detailed ophthalmological examination after demographical features were recorded. The corneal topographic parameters such has K1, K2, minimum central corneal thickness (CCT-min), and posterior elevation were recorded (CSO Sirius, Florence, Italy). The corneal epithelial thickness map was evaluated (RTVue 100, Optovue Inc., Fremont, CA, USA), and the central, four quadrants, and min-max epithelial thickness recorded. The parameters were compared between patients. 

Results

The study included 50 eyes of 32 patients without CXL, and 52 eyes of 29 patients with CXL. The mean age of patients was 32.3 ± 2.4 ,and 21.9 ± 0.6 years (p=0.002). There was no significant difference between K1, K2, minimum central corneal thickness (CCT-min), and posterior elevation. In corneal epithelial thickness maps, the epithelium was thicker in all quadrants in patients with CXL than without CXL (p<0.005).   

Conclusions

The corneal epithelium may have compensatory changes after CXL in keratoconus patients. The age-related changes cannot be excluded in this study since the CXL treatment is indicated all keratoconus patients who are under the age of 25, and only if progressive above the age of 25. For certain results, the changes should be compared before and after CXL, and also with controls.