Iontophoretic Transepithelial Collagen Cross-linking Versus Epithelium-off Collagen Cross-linking in Pediatric Patients. Three Year Follow up.

Iontophoretic Transepithelial Collagen Cross-linking Versus Epithelium-off Collagen Cross-linking in Pediatric Patients. Three Year Follow up.

To compare 3 year iontophoretic transepithelial corneal cross-linking (I-ON CXL) outcomes with epithelium-off collagen cross-linking (epi-off CXL)in pediatric patients.

Forty eyes of 28 consecutive pediatric patients (mean age 14.3±2.5 [SD] years; range, 9 to 18 years) with keratoconus were enrolled in the study. Twenty eyes of 15 patients underwent I-ON CXL, while 20 eyes of 13 patients underwent epi-off CXL. Corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), spherical equivalent, maximum keratometry (Kmax), posterior elevation of the thinnest point and thickness of the thinnest point mean values were evaluated. A Student t test was used to compare baseline and 12, 24, and 36 month postoperative data. Keratoconus progression in function of preoperative Kmax value and cone location was evaluated at 36 months.

Inclusion Criteria:

• clinical diagnosis of Keratoconus age < 18 years at the treatment; corneal cross linking performed at least 3 years before

Exclusion Criteria:

• age > 18 years at the treatment