Keratometric Evaluation of the Anterior and Posterior Corneal Surface Before and After Corneal Cross-linking for Pediatric Keratoconus.

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate keratometric measurements of the anterior and posterior corneal surface before and after corneal cross-linking (CXL) surgery for pediatric keratoconus.

Methods: A total of 111 eyes were found eligible for CXL. Anterior and posterior corneal surface keratometry values obtained before and after CXL were analyzed.

Results: The mean anterior keratometry values were 47.99 ± 3.96 and 47.74 ± 3.63 diopters (D) before and after CXL. The mean anterior surface steep keratometry was 50.05 ± 4.70 D before CXL and 49.58 ± 4.01 D at the end of the follow-up. The mean anterior surface flat keratometry was 45.91 ± 3.31 D before CXL and 45.93 ± 3.45 D at the end of the follow-up. The mean astigmatism of the anterior surface was 3.98 ± 2.34 cylinder diopters (Dcyl) before CXL and 3.63 ± 1.86 Dcyl at the end of the follow-up. The mean posterior surface keratometry value was -7.16 ± 0.81 D before CXL and -7.27 ± 0.76 D at the end of the follow-up. The mean posterior surface steep keratometry value was -7.52 ± 0.86 D before CXL and -7.64 ± 0.81 D at the end of the follow-up. The mean posterior surface flat keratometry value was -6.81 ± 0.80 D before CXL and -6.90 ± 0.75 D at the end of the follow-up. The mean posterior surface astigmatism was 0.71 ± 0.33 Dcyl before CXL and 0.73 ± 0.34 Dcyl at the end of the follow-up. The difference was not statistically significant.

Conclusions: CXL is recommended for children with keratoconus. The treatment does not significantly alter anterior and posterior corneal surface keratometry values.