Accelerated (9-mW/cm2) corneal collagen crosslinking for keratoconus - A 1-year follow-up

PURPOSE:: The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of accelerated crosslinking (irradiance of 9 mW/cm; 10 minutes) in keratoconus-affected eyes through topographical, visual, and refractive end points. METHODS:: Mild-moderate keratoconus-affected eyes that underwent accelerated corneal collagen crosslinking (CXL) treatment and had 6 and 12 months of follow-up were reviewed retrospectively. Data regarding uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA), manifest refraction, corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), and computerized corneal topography data before surgery and post-CXL treatment were extracted and analyzed. RESULTS:: Sixteen eyes of 14 patients were included in the study. The mean patient age was 24.9 ± 5.8 years (range: 17.1-38.3 years). No statistically significant changes were found in the mean CDVA, mean refractive cylinder, or mean manifest refraction spherical equivalent at either time point. There was a gain of 0.13 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution lines in the mean UDVA (P = 0.012) at 12 months. All corneal parameters including Ksteep, Kflat, average K (Km), corneal astigmatism (Kcyl), and maximal curvature reading at the corneal apex (Kmax) were stable at 6 and 12 months in all patients. No complications were observed during the follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS:: Accelerated corneal CXL is effective in stabilizing topographic parameters after 12 months of follow-up in mild-moderate keratoconus-affected corneas. Improvement in the UDVA and stabilization of all tested corneal parameters were noted after the treatment. However, a longer follow-up with larger cohorts is necessary to validate these findings.