Corneal endothelial changes evaluation using specular microscope following collagen cross-linking in treatment of keratoconus

Abstract

Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate the corneal endothelial changes following corneal collagen cross-linking treatment of keratoconus using a specular microscope. Patients and methods The study included 30 eyes of 30 patients with keratoconus, comprsing 16 males and 14 females, with a mean age of 28 years. Patients had a standard corneal collagen cross-linking after removal of the corneal epithelium. They were evaluated before and 1 month after the procedure using the specular microscope. Results The mean preoperative central corneal thickness of the patients was 477.5±35.57 µm, and at 1 month postoperatively, it was 477.9±36.88 µm, with no statistically significant change (P=0.7821). The mean preoperative value of cell density was 2963.1±364.1 cells/mm2 and became 2956.96±363 cells/mm2 1 month postoperatively, with no statistically significant change (P=0.7091). The mean preoperative coefficient of variation value was 36.3±5.9%, whereas 1 month postoperatively, it became 36.2±5.6%, with no statistically significant change (P=0.6951). The mean preoperative value of hexagonal cells was 49.93±7.9% and became 48.5±7.3% 1 month postoperatively, with no statistically significant change (P=0.2078). Conclusion There were no significant changes in human corneal endothelial parameters, as evaluated with the specular microscope, following cross-linking in keratoconic eyes.

Keywords

• corneal endothelium
• cross-linking
• keratoconus
• specular microscope