Comparison of Corneal Densitometry Measured by Pentacam before and after Collagen Cross Linking (CXL) in Patients with Keratoconus(KCN)

Introduction: Keratoconus (KC) is the most common corneal ectatic disorder with a prevalence of about ۱ in ۲,۰۰۰ people. KC is a progressive, non-inflammatory, almost bilateral and asymmetric of corneal. Corneal collagen cross-linking (CXL) with riboflavin and ultraviolet- A (UVA) is a new technique of mechanical stability of the cornea and prevention of keratoconus progression.Purpose: Determining the relationship between changes in corneal density before and after collagen cross-linking surgery in patients with keratoconusMaterials and Methods This prospective study was performed on ۴۵ eyes of ۲۳ patients with keratoconus undergoing corneal collagen cross-linking treatment at Imam Khomeini Hospital in Ahvaz in ۲۰۱۹. Corneal densitometry (CD) and pachymetry were measured using Pentacam before CXL and at ۳, ۶ and ۱۲ months after CXL. Also, all of the patients were evaluated in terms of best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), during follow-up.Results: In this study, ۲۳ people including ۱۲ men (۵۴.۲%) and ۱۱ women (۴۵.۸%) with a mean age of ۲۵.۲ ± ۴.۶۴ years in the age range of ۱۸-۳۴ years participated. The mean value of corneal density in total layer over the annular diameters ۰-۲ mm was ۱۹.۱۰±۵.۵۸, ۲۲.۳۱±۵.۶۴, ۲۴.۲۸±۶.۳۷ and ۲۰.۸۹±۵.۷۳ for before, ۳ months, ۶ months and ۱۲ months after CXL, respectively (P = ۰.۰۰۱).

Keywords:

Keratoconus , Collagen cross-linking , Pentacam , Corneal Densitometry