scholarly journals Epi-Off versus Epi-On Corneal Collagen Cross-Linking in Keratoconus Patients: A Comparative Study through 2-Year Follow-Up

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Cifariello ◽  
M. Minicucci ◽  
F. Di Renzo ◽  
D. Di Taranto ◽  
G. Coclite ◽  
...  

Aim. To evaluate two different techniques of cross-linking: standard epithelium-off (CXL epi-off) versus transepithelial (CXL epi-on) cross-linking in patient with progressive keratoconus.Methods. Forty eyes from 32 patients with progressive keratoconus were prospectively enrolled from June 2014 to June 2015 in this nonblinded, randomized comparative study. Twenty eyes were treated by CXL epi-off and 20 by CLX epi-on, randomly assigned, and followed for 2 years. All patients underwent a complete ophthalmologic testing that included uncorrected and best corrected visual acuity, central and peripheral corneal thickness, corneal astigmatism, simulated maximum, minimum, and average keratometry, corneal confocal microscopy, Schirmer I and break-up time (BUT) tests, and the Ocular Surface Disease Index. Intra- and postoperative complications were recorded. The solution used for CXL epi-off comprised riboflavin 0.1% and dextran 20.0% (Ricrolin), whereas the solution for CXL epi-on (Ricrolin TE) comprised riboflavin 0.1%, dextran 15.0%, trometamol (Tris), and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid. Ultraviolet-A treatment was performed with a UV-X system at 3 mW/cm2.Results. In both groups, a significant improvement in visual function (Group 1: baseline 0.36 ± 0.16 logMAR, two-year follow-up 0.22 ± 0.17 logMAR,p=0.01; Group 2: baseline 0.32 ± 0.18 logMAR, 2-year follow-up 0.27 ± 0.19 logMAR,p=0.01) was recorded. Keratometry remained unchanged in both groups. The mean corneal thickness showed a significant reduction (mean difference of corneal thickness: −55 micron and −71 micron, resp.). One-month after treatment, OSDI©reached 13.56 ± 2.15 in Group 1 (p=0.03) and 11.26 ± 2.12 in Group 2 (p=0.04). At confocal microscopy, abnormal corneal nerve alterations were found in both groups. Fibrotic reaction (43.75%) and activated keratocyte (62.6%) were more commonly recorded in Group 1 than in Group 2 (25.0% and 18.75%), withp=0.668and 0.356, respectively.Conclusion. Our findings demonstrate that both procedures are able to slow keratoconus progression. Both treatment modalities are equivalent in terms of results and related complications. CXL epi-on technique is preferable to CXL epi-off since it preserves the corneal thickness and improves visual acuity, also reducing the postoperative ocular discomfort during the study period.

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 14-19
Author(s):  
Ana Sofia Lopes ◽  
◽  
Susana Henriques ◽  
Peter Pêgo ◽  
Cristina Vendrell ◽  
...  

AIM: To compare the results of corneal cross-linking (CXL) with isotonic (IR) and hypotonic riboflavin (HR) in patients with keratoconus and to verify the efficacy of keratoconus in thinner corneas. METHODS: Retrospective study of 29 eyes/keratoconus patients submitted to CXL, 15 eyes with application of IR (IR group) and 14 eyes with application of HR (HR group). The parameters analysed included (1-year follow-up): best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), sphere and cylinder, central and finer pachymetry, mean and maximum keratometry (Km and Kmax respectively), complications and progression. RESULTS: An increase on the BCVA scale (logMAR, logarithm of the minimal angle of resolution) was observed in the two groups: 0.26±0.57 (IR) and 0.47±0.72 (HR) before treatment, and 0.13±0.79 (IR) and 0.29±1.52 (HR) at the 1y. Only at 1y, the difference was statistically significant (P=0.018, group IR with higher BCVA). The central pachymetry (μm) decreased at 1mo in both groups, and increased in the following months: 497±28 μm (IR) and 432±14 μm (HR) before treatment, and 480±31 μm (IR) and 424±15 μm (HR) to the 1y. The thinner pachymetry (μm) presented the same evolution: 487±29 μm (IR) and 410±20 μm (HR) before treatment, and 468±33 μm (IR) and 413±13μm (HR) at 1y. Km and Kmax decreased in both groups (P>0.05). Six eyes from each group presented transitory haze. No eye progressed to the 1y. CONCLUSION: The use of hypotonic riboflavin seems to be a valid alternative for performing the traditional corneal cross-linking technique in eyes with a central corneal thickness of <400 μm.


2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aleksandar Stojanovic ◽  
Wen Zhou ◽  
Tor Paaske Utheim

Purpose. Our main purpose was to compare safety and efficacy in the treatment of progressive keratoconus with “epithelium-on” and “epithelium-off” corneal collagen cross-linking (CXL). Our secondary purpose was to evaluate efficacy of CXL when hypotonic 0.5% riboflavin is used as photosensitizer.Methods. One eye of 20 patients with bilateral progressive keratoconus was randomly treated for “epithelium-on” CXL (group 1) while the fellow eye underwent “epithelium-off” CXL (group 2). Hypotonic 0.5% riboflavin was used in both groups. Visual acuity, refraction, corneal topography, and wavefront aberrometry were evaluated at baseline and after 1, 6, and 12 months. Specular microscopy was performed on 10 patients preoperatively and after 12 months. Postoperative pain was evaluated using a patient questionnaire.Results. Uncorrected and corrected distance visual acuity improved significantly in both groups. Refraction, topography, and aberrometry showed nonsignificant changes from the preoperative status throughout the 12-month follow-up in both groups. Moreover, the outcomes between the groups were comparable at all follow-up points. Endothelial cell-count was stable. Postoperative pain length was shorter in group 1P<0.001.Conclusion. “Epithelium-on” and “epithelium-off” CXL using hypotonic 0.5% riboflavin were equally safe and effective in stabilization of keratoconus. Topography and aberrometry outcomes in both groups failed to show any significant improvements. This study is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov:NCT01181219.


Eye ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Huping Wu ◽  
Lan Li ◽  
Shunrong Luo ◽  
Xie Fang ◽  
Xumin Shang ◽  
...  

Abstract Objectives To evaluate the safety and efficacy of repeated corneal collagen crosslinking assisted by transepithelial double-cycle iontophoresis (DI-CXL) in the management of keratoconus progression after primary CXL. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted in the patients who underwent repeated CXL between 2016 and 2018. These patients were treated with DI-CXL if keratoconus progression was confirmed after primary CXL. Scoring of ocular pain and corneal epithelial damage, visual acuity, corneal tomography, in vivo corneal confocal microscopy (IVCM) was performed before and at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months after DI-CXL. Results Overall, 21 eyes of 12 patients (mean age 17.3 ± 1.9 years) were included in this study. Before DI-CXL, an average increase of 4.26 D in Kmax was detected in these patients with a mean follow-up interval of (23.0 ± 13.7) months. After DI-CXL, corneal epithelial damage rapidly recovered within days. Visual acuity remained unchanged with follow-up of 24 months. When compared to baseline, significant decreases were observed in Kmax (at 3 months) and K2 (at 3 and 6 months) after DI-CXL. Corneal thickness of thinnest point significantly decreased at 3 months postoperatively. When compared to baseline, no significant differences were found in any of the refractive or tomographic parameters at 12 and 24 months. IVCM revealed trabecular patterned hyperdense tissues after DI-CXL in the anterior stroma at the depth of 200 μm or more. No corneal infiltration or persistent epithelial defect was recorded after DI-CXL. Conclusion DI-CXL is safe and effective as a good alternative in stabilizing keratoconus progression after primary CXL.


2021 ◽  
pp. 112067212110206
Author(s):  
Iliya Simantov ◽  
Lior Or ◽  
Inbal Gazit ◽  
Biana Dubinsky-Pertzov ◽  
David Zadok ◽  
...  

Background: Retrospective cohort study evaluating long term keratoconus progression amongst cross-linking (CXL) treated pediatric patients in the treated and the fellow untreated eyes. Methods: Data on 60 eyes of 30 patients, 18 years old or younger, who underwent CXL in at least one eye was collected and analyzed. Follow-up measurements taken from the treated and untreated eye up to 7 years after CXL treatment, were compared to baseline measurements. Parameters included uncorrected distance visual acuity (UCDVA), best-corrected spectacle visual acuity (BCSVA), manifest refraction, pachymetry, corneal tomography, and topography. Results: Mean age of patients was 16 ± 2.1 years. For the treated eyes, during follow-up period mean UCDVA had improved (from 0.78 ± 0.22 at baseline to 0.58 ± 0.26 logMAR at 7 years; p = 0.13), as well as mean BCSVA (from 0.23 ± 0.107 at baseline to 0.172 ± 0.05 logMAR at 7 years; p = 0.37). The mean average keratometry showed a significant flattening (from 49.95 ± 4.04 to 47.94 ± 3.3 diopters (D); p < 0.001), However there was no change in the mean maximal keratometry. The mean minimal corneal thickness (MCT) showed a significant mild reduction of 26 µm ( p = 0.006). Although statistically insignificant, the mean manifest cylinder was also reduced to 2D ( p = 0.15). During the follow-up period, eight untreated eyes (26.6%) deteriorated and underwent CXL, while only one treated eye (3.33%) required an additional CXL. Conclusion: CXL is a safe and efficient procedure in halting keratoconus progression in the pediatric population, the fellow eye needs to be carefully monitored but only a 25% of the patients will require CXL in that eye during a period of 7 years.


2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (16) ◽  
pp. 26-30
Author(s):  
Yu.A. Kucheryavy ◽  
◽  
P.R. Movtaeva ◽  
D.N. Andreev ◽  
R.I. Shaburov ◽  
...  

Objective: to evaluate the effectiveness of an esophagoprotector in reducing the risk of recurrent symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in patients who requiring temporary cancellation of therapy with proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). Material and methods. For the prospective comparative study there were selectively chose patients who had been taking PPIs for a long time (at least one month) for the underlying disease and who required temporary discontinuation of antisecretory therapy due to objective medical reasons. The study included patients with endoscopically and/or pH-metrically verified GERD, as well as histologically verified Barrett's esophagus. In the process of randomization of patients, two equal groups were formed, depending on the therapy received at the time of PPI withdrawal: group 1 received antacids on demand, group 2 received antacids on demand, as well as the esophagoprotector Alfasoxx at a dose of 10 ml four times a day (after each meal and at night). The follow-up period was two weeks. The patients recorded episodes of heartburn in their personal diaries. Results. The study included 60 patients (28 men and 32 women). The average age of the examined patients was 43.1 ± 5.3 years. By the end of the two-week follow-up period, the frequency of recurrent symptoms in group 1 was 36.7%, while in group 2 it was 13.3%. The use of the esophagoprotector Alfasoxx contributed to the significant regression of the risk of heartburn recurrence (odds ratio 0.2657; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.07328-0.9637; p = 0.0438) in comparison with the group of patients who received only antacids in the on-demand mode. When analyzing the population of patients who had relapsed symptoms, it was demonstrated that the average number of heartburn episodes in group 1 was 6.18 (95% CI 4,1930-8,1706), and in group 2 – 4.50 (95% CI 0,7121-8,2879). Conclusion. This prospective comparative study demonstrated that the use of the esophagoprotector Alfasoxx helps to reduce the risk of relapse of GERD symptoms in patients requiring temporary cancellation of PPI therapy.


2009 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 535-543 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leopoldo Spadea ◽  
Massimo Saviano ◽  
Angela Di Gregorio ◽  
Domenico Di Lodovico ◽  
Fabio De Sanctis

Purpose To evaluate in a long-term period the effectiveness and safety of topographically guided two-step laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) and standard LASIK technique in the correction of refractive errors after successful penetrating keratoplasty (PKP) for keratoconus. Methods At least 2 years after PKP and 6 months after removal of all sutures, 15 eyes of 15 patients (Group 1; mean manifest refraction spherical equivalent (MRSE) −7.23 D ± 3.42 SD) were submitted to standard LASIK and 15 eyes of 15 patients (Group 2; mean MRSE −4.37 D ± 1.97 SD) to a topographically guided two-step LASIK procedure (first the flap and at least 2 weeks later the laser ablation). In all cases, a superior hinged corneal flap (160 μm/9.5 mm) was created. Results After a follow-up of 36 months, in Group 1 the mean uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) was 0.51 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) ± 0.41 SD and the mean best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 0.03 logMAR ± 0.05 SD, with a mean MRSE of −1.57 D ± 2.65 SD. In Group 2, the mean UCVA was 0.28 logMAR ± 0.24 SD and the mean BCVA was 0.01 logMAR ± 0.03 SD, with a mean MRSE of −0.07 D ± 1.00 SD. In both groups, no complications were observed. Conclusions After a long follow-up period, both topographically guided two-step LASIK and standard LASIK could be considered effective and safe tools in the correction of refractive errors after successful PKP for keratoconus.


2020 ◽  
Vol 64 (3) ◽  
pp. 398-404
Author(s):  
Jia Li ◽  
Xu Bai ◽  
Xiaoyue Guan ◽  
Hongfeng Yuan ◽  
Xiang Xu

<b><i>Purpose:</i></b> This study was aimed to investigate the safety and feasibility of umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) transplantation in patients with traumatic optic neuropathy (TON). <b><i>Methods:</i></b> This is a single-center, prospective, open-labeled phase 1 study that enrolled 20 patients with TON. Patients consecutively underwent either optic canal decompression combined with MSC local implantation treatment (group 1) or only optic canal decompression (group 2). Patients were evaluated on the first day, seventh day, first month, third month, and sixth month postoperatively. Adverse events, such as fever, urticarial lesions, nasal infection, and death, were recorded at each visit. The primary outcome was changes in best-corrected visual acuity. The secondary outcomes were changes in color vision, relative afferent pupillary defect, and flash visual evoked potential. <b><i>Results:</i></b> All 20 patients completed the 6-month follow-up. None of them had any systemic or ocular complications. The change in best-corrected visual acuity at follow-up was not significantly different between group 1 and group 2 (<i>p</i> &#x3e; 0.05); however, group 1 showed better visual outcome than group 2. Both groups showed significant improvements in vision compared with the baseline (<i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.05); however, there were no statistically significant differences between the groups (<i>p</i> &#x3e; 0.05). In addition, no adverse events related to local transplantation were observed in the patients. <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> A single, local MSC transplantation in the optic nerve is safe for patients with TON.


2020 ◽  
pp. 112067212094566
Author(s):  
Michael A Grentzelos ◽  
Nafsika Voulgari ◽  
Clarice Giacuzzo ◽  
Konstantinos Droutsas ◽  
George D Kymionis

Purpose: To report the evolution of corneal flattening after repeated corneal cross-linking (CXL) in a patient with progressive keratoconus during a 6-year follow-up. Methods: Case report. Results: A 27-year-old female underwent CXL for progressive keratoconus. Postoperatively, corneal topography revealed keratoconus progression with an increase of 1.20 diopters (D) in maximum keratometry (Kmax) and CXL was repeated. After the second treatment, a continuing significant corneal flattening (up to 16.00 D in Kmax) was observed during the first 5 years followed by stabilization during the last sixth year of follow-up. Both uncorrected and corrected distance visual acuity were improved while corneal thickness was decreased. There were no complications such as corneal opacification or endothelial cells decrease during the follow-up period. Conclusion: Repeated CXL can induce an excessive corneal flattening more pronounced during the first years of follow-up followed by stabilization thereafter.


2009 ◽  
Vol 147 (5) ◽  
pp. 774-778.e1 ◽  
Author(s):  
George D. Kymionis ◽  
Vasilios F. Diakonis ◽  
Maria Kalyvianaki ◽  
Dimitra Portaliou ◽  
Charalampos Siganos ◽  
...  

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sri Ganesh ◽  
Sheetal Brar

Purpose. To study the safety and clinical outcomes of ReLEx SMILE with accelerated cross-linking in individuals with thinner corneas, borderline topography, and higher refractive errors.Methods. Eligible patients first underwent SMILE procedure for correction of myopic refractive error. Following the removal of lenticule, 0.25% riboflavin in saline was injected into the interface and allowed to diffuse for 60 seconds. Finally, eye was exposed to UV-A radiation of 45 mW/cm2for 75 seconds through the cap. Total energy delivered was 3.4 J/cm2.Results. 40 eyes of 20 patients with mean age of 26.75 ± 5.99 years were treated. Mean follow-up was 12 months ± 28.12 days. Mean spherical equivalent (SE) was −5.02 ± 2.06 D preoperatively and −0.24 ± 0.18 D postoperatively. The mean central corneal thickness (CCT) and keratometry changed from 501 ± 25.90 µm to 415 ± 42.26 µm and 45.40 ± 1.40 D to 41.2 ± 2.75 D, respectively. Mean uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) was 20/25 or better in all eyes. No eyes lost lines of corrected distant visual acuity (CDVA). There were no complications like haze, keratitis, ectasia, or regression.Conclusion. Based on the initial clinical outcome it appears that SMILE Xtra may be a safe and feasible modality to prevent corneal ectasia in susceptible individuals.


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