Iontophoresis-Cxl For Early Keratoconus With High Visual Acuity After Epithelium-Off Cxl In The Fellow Eye: A Pilot Study

To assess the long-term outcomes of transepithelial iontophoresis cross-linking (I-CXL) for early keratoconus with high visual acuity under the age of 25.

This retrospective study was conducted at the Department of Ophthalmology, Humanitas San Pio X, Milan, Italy, on data collected between 2015 and 2020.  

Patients diagnosed with early keratoconus and under the age of 25 who underwent to I-CXL were retrospectively reviewed and included in the study if they fulfilled the following criteria: high visual acuity (LogMAR ≤ 0.2) before I-CXL and the fact that the fellow, most advanced eye, had been treated with epithelium off CXL (S-CXL). Corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), spherical equivalent refraction, thinnest corneal thickness, corneal topography and tomography were assessed at baseline and at least 24 months of follow up, using Pentacam. Statistical analysis was performed with STATA SE version 17.

20 patients with a mean age of 18.5±3.75 months were included. The statistical analysis showed no significant change over time in CDVA, Kmax and A, B, C values of the Belin Progression Display. Mean baseline CDVA was 0.03±0.07 logMAR, whereas at 24-month was 0.01±0.04. Mean Sph Eq was -1.29±1.38D at baseline and -1.05±1.51D after 24 months. Preoperative Kmax was 48.35±4.95 D and 48.56±4.96 D after the 2 years FU. Mean baseline A value was 7.13±1.66 mm and 24-month postoperative was 7.43±0.48 mm. Average B value was 5.87±0.55 mm prior to surgery, while it was 5.83±0.60 mm after last FU. Mean baseline and 24-month thinnest point were 498.9±34.29 𝜇m and 500.10±33.45 𝜇m respectively. None of the patients showed a progression of keratoconus.

I-CXL is an effective and safe method to stabilize early keratoconus with limited improvement noted. More studies will be needed to assess its long-term outcomes.