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Alifa R, Piñero D, Velázquez J, L. Alió del Barrio J, Cavas F, Alió JL. Changes in the 3D Corneal Structure and Morphogeometric Properties in Keratoconus after Corneal Collagen Crosslinking. Diagnostics (Basel) 2020; 10:diagnostics10060397. [PMID: 32545294 PMCID: PMC7345591 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics10060397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2020] [Revised: 06/08/2020] [Accepted: 06/09/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Keratoconus is an ectatic disorder that is presently considered one of the most prevalent reasons for keratoplasty. Corneal collagen crosslinking (CXL) is the only proven treatment option available that is capable of halting the progression of the disease by stabilizing the cone in 90% of cases, and by also reducing refractive error and maximal keratometry. This study assesses, by means of a 3D morphogeometric analysis procedure developed by our research team, the corneal structure changes that occur immediately after CXL treatment and during a 6 month follow-up period. A total of 19 eyes from 19 patients diagnosed with keratoconus who underwent CXL were included, and several variables derived from the morphogeometric analysis were calculated and evaluated for the pre-operative, 3 month postoperative, and 6 month postoperative states. Significant reductions were detected in central corneal thickness and corneal spherical-like root mean square (RMS) 3 months after surgery, with non-significant regression of the effect afterward. Significant reductions in the total corneal area/volume were found, with some levels of regression after 6 months in certain volumetric parameters. In conclusion, the eyes with higher values for morphogeometric parameters—posterior apex deviation (PAD), anterior minimum thickness point deviation (AMTPD), and posterior minimum thickness point deviation (PMTPD)—seemed more likely to undergo aberrometric improvement as a result of CXL surgery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramón Alifa
- Doctorate Program in Industrial Technologies, International School of Doctorate, Technical University of Cartagena, 30202 Cartagena, Spain;
| | - David Piñero
- Group of Optics and Visual Perception, Department of Optics, Pharmacology and Anatomy, University of Alicante, 03690 Alicante, Spain;
| | - José Velázquez
- Department of Structures, Construction and Graphical Expression, Technical University of Cartagena, 30202 Cartagena, Spain;
| | - Jorge L. Alió del Barrio
- Department of Research and Development, VISSUM, 03016 Alicante, Spain; (J.L.A.d.B.); (J.L.A.)
- Cornea, Cataract and Refractive Surgery Department, VISSUM, 03016 Alicante, Spain
- Division of Ophthalmology, Department of Pathology and Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Miguel Hernández University, 03202 Alicante, Spain
| | - Francisco Cavas
- Department of Structures, Construction and Graphical Expression, Technical University of Cartagena, 30202 Cartagena, Spain;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +34-968-328856
| | - Jorge L. Alió
- Department of Research and Development, VISSUM, 03016 Alicante, Spain; (J.L.A.d.B.); (J.L.A.)
- Cornea, Cataract and Refractive Surgery Department, VISSUM, 03016 Alicante, Spain
- Division of Ophthalmology, Department of Pathology and Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Miguel Hernández University, 03202 Alicante, Spain
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Subasinghe SK, Ogbuehi KC, Dias GJ. Current perspectives on corneal collagen crosslinking (CXL). Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol 2018; 256:1363-1384. [PMID: 29623463 DOI: 10.1007/s00417-018-3966-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2017] [Revised: 02/20/2018] [Accepted: 03/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Corneal collagen crosslinking has revolutionized the treatment of keratoconus and post-refractive corneal ectasia in the past decade. Corneal crosslinking with riboflavin and ultraviolet A is proposed to halt the progression of keratectasia. In the original "Conventional Dresden Protocol" (C-CXL), the epithelium is removed prior to the crosslinking process to facilitate better absorption of riboflavin into the corneal stroma. Studies analyzing its short- and long-term outcomes revealed that although there are inconsistencies as to the effectiveness of this technique, the advantages prevail over the disadvantages. Therefore, corneal crosslinking (CXL) is widely used in current practice to treat keratoconus. In an attempt to improve the visual and topographical outcomes of C-CXL and to minimize time-related discomfort and endothelial-related side effects, various modifications such as accelerated crosslinking and transepithelial crosslinking methods have been introduced. The comparison of outcomes of these modified techniques with C-CXL has also returned contradictory results. Hence, it is difficult to clearly identify an optimal procedure that can overcome issues associated with the CXL. This review provides an up-to-date analysis on clinical and laboratory findings of these popular crosslinking protocols used in the treatment of keratoconus. It is evident from this review that in general, these modified techniques have succeeded in minimizing the immediate complications of the C-CXL technique. However, there were contradictory viewpoints regarding their effectiveness when compared with the conventional technique. Therefore, these modified techniques need to be further investigated to arrive at an optimal treatment option for keratoconus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandeepani K Subasinghe
- Department of Anatomy, University of Otago, P.O. Box 913, 270 Great King Street, Dunedin, 9054, New Zealand.
| | - Kelechi C Ogbuehi
- Ophthalmology Section, Department of Medicine, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - George J Dias
- Department of Anatomy, University of Otago, P.O. Box 913, 270 Great King Street, Dunedin, 9054, New Zealand
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