Results of corneal collagen cross-linking with riboflavin and ultraviolet-A light for patients with keratoconus in Ramadi City

Abstract

To study the effectiveness of corneal collagen cross linking with riboflavin and ultraviolet-A light for keratoconus in Iraqi patients. Fifty four eyes of 27 patients with progressive keratoconus were studied in this prospective study. All eyes included in this study completed a follow up period of 6 months. Preoperative assessment of uncorrected visual acuity, best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), corneal topography using the pentacam, and Pachymetry were done and these tests were repeated at each postoperative visit. 9 male and 18 female patients were studied. The mean age was 24.9 ±5.35 (range 9-37 years) and the mean follow-up was 7.3 months. The preoperative values were compared with postoperative values. The BCVA improved at least one line in 55.5% (30 eyes) of eyes. 44.5% (24 eyes) showed stable BCVA (P< 0.001). The steepest corneal curvature was decreased by a mean of 1.74 Diopters ± 1.18 (D) in the total population studied. It was decreased by a mean of 2.04 Diopters ± 0.76 in 79.6% (43 eyes) (P<0.003) and remained stable (within ± 0.50 D) in 20.4% (11 eyes) of eyes. Corneal collagen cross linking with riboflavin and UVA light is effective treatment for progressive keratoconus in Iraqi patients