Ten years experience of corneal collagen cross-linking: An observational study of 6120 cases.

Elmassry, Ahmed; Said Ahmed, Osama Ibrahim; Abdalla, Moones F; Gaballah, Karim

Purpose: To study the effect of corneal collagen cross-linking (CXL) using riboflavin and ultraviolet rays on cases of corneal ectasia in keratoconus cases, post-laser–assisted in situ keratomileusis ectasia, and pellucid marginal degeneration and to present its long-term results over many years. Methods: This study was conducted throughout 10 "years" experience in corneal collagen CXL, including 6120 cases. The study consists of two parts: a retrospective and a prospective part. All patients in the retrospective part were operated by epi-off, while in the prospective part, the epi-on procedure was used. Also, other machines were used as Peschke Vario, Peschke Phoenix, and different types of riboflavin. The results were analyzed using SPSS. Results: The study showed stabilization ectasia in 95% of cases using our standard protocol, and this was proved by topography, pachymetry, refraction, and visual acuity. The effect of CXL was continued in 20% of cases, over a period of 3–5 years, some cases needed to repeat CXL due to the progression of corneal ectasia after cross-linking, in six eyes, that were rubbing their eyes and/or hormonal disturbance. Conclusion: Corneal collagen cross-linking CXL is an effective method to prevent the progression of corneal ectasia, whether primary or post-laser–assisted in situ keratomileusis, and the effect was stable over the years of study.

European Journal of Ophthalmology, 2021, Vol 31, Issue 3, p951

1120-6721

Academic Journal

10.1177/1120672120928921