Corneal stromal depth of the demarcation line after accelerated versus conventional cross-linking

Abstract

Background: Keratoconus is one of ectatic corneal disease which is characterized by corneal steepening, visual distortion, apical corneal thinning, and central corneal scarring. Its exact etiology is unknown. Aim and objectives: to assess the depth of the corneal stromal demarcation line (a transition zone between the cross-linked anterior corneal stroma and the untreated posterior corneal stroma,which is considered a measurement of the depth of cross-linking treatment into the stroma). 6 After conventional crosslinking versus accelerated crosslinking after one and three months postoperative. Subjects and methods: This Prospective, randomized, comparative, cross-sectional study was conducted in Kobri El Qobba Military specialized eye hospital, Cairo, Egypt. This study was conducted on 40 eyes with progressive keratoconus divided into two groups, each of them included 20 eyes: group 1: 20 eyes underwent accelerated cross-linking, and group 2: 20 eyes underwent conventional (standard) cross-linking. Results: The demarcation line and Kmax at 1-month and 3-months postoperative showed no statistically difference between the two studied groups. Conclusion: cross-linking is a safe and efficient treatment in progressive keratoconus. Accelerated CXL was comparable with conventional CXL at all-time points and both conventional and accelerated CXL significantly improve CCT and Demarcation line depth.