Korean J Ophthalmol. 2021 Sep 6. doi: 10.3341/kjo.2021.0111. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: To report the intra-operative corneal pachymetry changes during accelerated corneal cross-linking (A-CXL) in progressive keratoconus patients with thin corneas.
METHODS: Thirty-six eyes (mean age: 22.26 ± 4.02 years) with progressive keratoconic thin corneas (< 400 µm without epithelium) who underwent A- CXL with ultraviolet A (9 mW/cm2) using isotonic RF-HPMC (riboflavin5-phosphate 0.1% with 1.1% hydroxypropyl methycellulose/Mediocross M®) were included in this retrospective study. Intra-operative corneal pachymetric changes were noted before the procedure, after removal of epithelium, after RF-HPMC instillation, before and after UV irradiation. The mean of corneal pachymetric values were compared statistically.
RESULTS: The mean corneal pachymetry reduced from 415.72±29.66 µm to 369.50±23.45 µm after removal of the epithelium (p<0.05). After the application of RF-HPMC solution the mean TCP increased to 412.89±26.94 µm. Statistically significant increase was observed in TCP after saturation with RF-HPMC (p=0.001). The mean corneal pachymetry was before and after UV-A irradiation respectively 419.86±10.41 µm, 417.47±8.25 µm (p>0.05).
CONCLUSION: Isotonic RF-HPMC lead to a significant increase in intra-operative mean TCP. RF-HPMC seems to be a favorable riboflavin option in keratoconus patients with thin corneas.
PMID:34488256 | DOI:10.3341/kjo.2021.0111
