Corneal light scattering after CXL gives distinctive spatial and temporal profiles

The spatial distribution and temporal profiles of corneal light scattering after corneal collagen crosslinking (CXL) are distinctive in keratoconus patients, states a study published by the Journal of Cataract and Refractive Surgery.

A team led by Dr Anders Behndig, Department of Clinical Sciences and Ophthalmology, Umeå University, Sweden, included 11 eyes in a case series of 11 keratoconus patients. All eyes were examined with Scheimpflug photography pre-CXL and 1 and 5 months post-CXL. Corneal light scattering was recorded throughout corneal thickness at 8 measurement points 0.0 to 3.0mm from the central cornea.

After CXL, central corneal light scattering increased significantly after 1 month. Corneal light scattering decreased after 6 months but stayed higher than pre-CXL values.

Light scattering at 1 month was more defined in the superficial stroma and gradually reduced to zero at 240μm depth. It was found that corneal light scattering was greater at the corneal centre. The second peak of light scattering occurred 6 months postoperatively between 240μm and 340μm depth.It was also concluded that Scheimpflug photography is useful for corneal light scattering.