Corneal Tomographic Changes After UV Cross-Linking for Corneal Ectasia (1-Year Results)

PURPOSE: To evaluate changes in maximum keratometry (Kmax), corneal higher-order aberrations (HOAs), and densitometry (backscattered light) up to 1 year after UV cross-linking and their possible relation with changes in the visual outcome. METHODS: Retrospective cohort study on 18 eyes of 16 patients, who underwent UV cross-linking after the Dresden protocol for progressive keratoconus or ectasia after laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis. Corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), Scheimpflug-based corneal tomography, mean image brightness (corneal densitometry) from the anterior 120 μm of the midcornea, and posterior 60 μm of the central 6 mm of the cornea, and HOAs were evaluated. RESULTS: Kmax at 1 month (59.7 ± 6.0D) after UV cross-linking resembled preoperative Kmax (59.3 ± 6.4D, P = 0.368), decreased until 3 months postoperatively (58.3 ± 6.3D, P = 0.002), and stabilized thereafter (P > 0.227). All postoperative corneal densitometry values were higher than preoperative values in all measured depths (P 0.221) and then decreased until 12 months postoperatively (3.86 ± 1.84 μm and 3.40 ± 1.80 μm, respectively; P 0.345 and P > 0.257, respectively). No relations were found between CDVA and the evaluated parameters (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: One year after UV cross-linking, the observation of stable CDVA and thinnest point thickness, together with reduced Kmax suggests no ectasia progression within the study period in these cases. Although HOAs showed a trend toward improvement, corneal densitometry remained elevated.