To evaluate safety, efficacy, and stability of cross-linking (CLX) procedure as a method for keratoconus treatment in the I and II stage of disease.

Twenty eyes of 15 patients (13 males, 2 females, average age 31 years) with keratoconus I stage (13 eyes) and II stage (2 eyes) (by Krumeich classi­fication) were treated by CLX procedure, using riboflavin Medio Cross for standard CLX); riboflavin Medio Cross TE for transepithelial CLX was used to treat keratectasia after previous keratorefractive surgery; in all the cases UV CBM X linker (Vega, CSO) was used. The study included evaluation of uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA), best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) pre- and postoperative, pachymetry (central cornea thickness) (Visante OCT, Zeiss) pre- and postoperative, total astigmatism pre- and postoperative, using keratotopography (Atlas, Zeiss). Diagnosis and analysis have been performed at the International Center for Ophthalmology in Moscow, Russian ­Federation, since 2012 to 2014 years. Follow-up period was from 1 to 24 months.

Average UCVA preoperative was 0.4 (Decimal), and average BCVA was 0.64. Average UCVA postoperative was 0.49; average BCVA was 0.66. Total astigmatism preoperative was 2.81 D; total astigmatism postoperative 2.80 D. Central cornea thickness (CCT) preoperative 454 mkm; CCT post­operative 447 mkm.

Cross-linking indicated safety, stability, and efficacy for treatment of I and II stage keratoconus at the end of follow-up period. Cross-linking is not effective in the treatment of II and III stage of disease. Further study is required.

Dementiev D, Sysoeva M, Shipunova A. Two Years’ Experience in Keratoconus Treatment using Collagen Cross-linking. Int J Kerat Ect Cor Dis 2017;6(1):11-13.