Evaluation of Visual Outcomes with Spectacles After Corneal Cross-Linkage Procedure

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the visual outcome with spectacles after corneal cross linkage (CXL) in Keratoconus patients

Study Design: A prospective experimental study

Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at the Cornea clinic, Isra Postgraduate Institute of Ophthalmology, Al-Ibrahim Eye Hospital, Karachi from January 2019 to August 2019.

Materials and Methods: 74 patients with progressive keratoconus of age 12 years to 40 years, central corneal thickness more than 400microns and without prior history of CXL corneal procedure were included in the study. Preoperative assessment was based on history, examination and investigations. Operative procedure was performed and postoperative assessment of visual outcomes and complications were noted.

Results: A highly substantial difference of <0.001 existed between pre-operative and post-operative assessment of patients for Un-Corrected Visual Acuity (UCVA). At 3 months post-operatively, the 6/6 visual acuity was observed in 29.7% of patients with spectacles. A highly significant difference of <0.001 existed between pre-operative and 3rd month post-operative examination for Best Spectacle Corrected Visual Acuity (BSCVA). The mean corneal thickness was440 ± 44.34, 429.44 ± 40.52 and 435.45 ± 43.14 at pre-operatively, 1st month post-operative, and at 3rd month. And this exhibits a statistically significant difference of p<0.001 between them

Conclusion: Considerably enhancement observed in the visual outcome and BSCVA of keratoconus patient treated with corneal cross-linkage process with no complications.