Outcomes After Corneal Crosslinking Treatment in Paediatric Patients with Keratoconus

Abstract

Purpose To determine the efficacy and safety of accelerated corneal crosslinking in children with keratoconus. Methods Two hundred twenty-nine eyes of 146 patients aged 16 years and younger with keratoconus were included in this study. The best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), spherical and cylindrical values, keratometric values (K1-K2), steepest keratometric value (Kmax), and thinnest corneal thickness (TCT) of the patients were recorded pre-operatively and post-operatively at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months. Ocular and systemic diseases associated with keratoconus were also recorded. Results The results showed stabilization of refractive BCVA in the first postoperative month, with a slight improvement over time. The Keratometric values (K1 and K2) and Kmax remained stable throughout the follow-up period. The minimum central corneal thickness initially decreased but stabilized 12 months after crosslinking. No complications, such as corneal opacity, non-healing epithelial defects, or corneal infections, were observed during the follow-up. Allergic conjunctivitis (30.8%), congenital cataracts (1.36%), nystagmus (0.68%) and blepharoptosis (0.68%), were the most common ocular co-morbidities. Conclusion The paediatric age group is at high risk due to the rapid and aggressive nature of the disease. According to the results of our study, corneal crosslinking treatment in childhood limited the progression of keratoconus and at the same time provided a slight increase in visual acuity.