CXL treats radial keratotomy in the short-term

According to new results published in the journal Cornea patients with radial keratotomy (RK) can be successfully treated with corneal cross-linking (CXL).

The short-term case series, conducted by Dr Graciana Fuentes-Páez et al., Clinica Tacir-Centro Medico Teknon, Barcelona, Spain, featured seven eyes of four RK patients who underwent CXL with riboflavin and UV-A radiation.

Sphere, spherical equivalent (SE), uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA), best spectacle-corrected visual acuity (BSCVA), topographic astigmatism, mean topographic K (Km), pachymetry and Q values were all recorded 3 and 6 months after CXL.

After three months the findings revealed that the mean sphere of the patients was +1.0 ± 3.0 D, the astigmatism was 2.5 ± 1.2 D, SE was 0.3 ± 2.2 D and UCVA 0.41 ± 2.7. Additional findings showed that mean BSCVA was 0.80 ± 0.27, Km was 37.5 ± 5.7 D, pachymetry was 491 ± 33.74 μm and Q values were 2.27 ± 1.8.

Six months after CXL the findings improved further. Mean sphere was 0.53 ± 3.5 D, astigmatism was 1.62 ± 1.76 D, SE was 0.52 ± 2.9 D, UCVA was0.60 ± 2.0, BSCVA was 0.9 ± 0.15, Km was 38.3 ± 4.10 D, and Q values were 1.7 ± 0.78.

The data demonstrated a statistical and clinical significance in all areas on RK patients who underwent CXL.