Safety and Efficacy of Corneal Crosslinking Treatment in Children with Keratoconus

Abstract

Background: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of corneal crosslinking (CXL) treatment in children with keratoconus. Materials and Methods:A total of 45 eyes of 34 children with progressive keratoconus were included in this study. CXL was performed according to the conventional method. Manifest refraction, uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA), corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), corneal topography values, and endothelial cell density (ECD) were evaluated at baseline and 24-month follow-up. Results:The mean age of the patients was 14.6 ± 3.5 years. The mean spherical equivalent readings were statistically significantly decreased at 24 months (p=0.016). There was a significant improvement in the mean UDVA and CDVA at 24 months (p=0.002, p=0.006, respectively). The mean K1 and K2 were statistically significantly reduced at 24 months postoperatively (p=0.004, p=0.006, respectively). There was no significant alteration in ECD at any follow-up examination. No significant sight-threatening complications were observed. Conclusions: The CXL procedure seem to be safe and effective in stabilizing keratoconus progression in children within a follow-up of 24 months.