Background: To evaluate the inflammatory response after accelerated collagen cross-linking (CXL) in eyes with keratoconus.

Methods: Consecutive eyes with keratoconus undergoing CXL surgery were included in this nonrandomized interventional study. Aqueous flare was measured pre- and post-operatively with a laser flare photometer at 1 week, 1, 3 and 6 months after CXL.

Results: Sixty eyes of 60 patients were entered into the study. Before CXL, the mean flare value was 4.5 photons per millisecond (ph/ms). The flare values observed at week 1 (7.1 ph/ms; P=0.008), month 1 (6.5 ph/ms; P=0.04), month 3 (6.7 ph/ms; P=0.004) and month 6 (6.7 ph/ms; P=0.004) were significantly higher compared to baseline. Flare values were not significantly different from week 1 up to 6 months after CXL (P=0.930). No statistically significant correlation was detected between the amount of inflammation and keratometric indices.

Conclusions: Accelerated CXL in patients with keratoconus may cause a subclinical inflammatory response which is evident as slight but rather long-lasting rise of aqueous flare.

Background: To evaluate the inflammatory response after accelerated collagen cross-linking (CXL) in eyes with keratoconus.

Methods: Consecutive eyes with keratoconus undergoing CXL surgery were included in this nonrandomized interventional study. Aqueous flare was measured pre- and post-operatively with a laser flare photometer at 1 week, 1, 3 and 6 months after CXL.

Results: Sixty eyes of 60 patients were entered into the study. Before CXL, the mean flare value was 4.5 photons per millisecond (ph/ms). The flare values observed at week 1 (7.1 ph/ms; P=0.008), month 1 (6.5 ph/ms; P=0.04), month 3 (6.7 ph/ms; P=0.004) and month 6 (6.7 ph/ms; P=0.004) were significantly higher compared to baseline. Flare values were not significantly different from week 1 up to 6 months after CXL (P=0.930). No statistically significant correlation was detected between the amount of inflammation and keratometric indices.

Conclusions: Accelerated CXL in patients with keratoconus may cause a subclinical inflammatory response which is evident as slight but rather long-lasting rise of aqueous flare.

Background: Evaluation of corneal biomechanical properties 3 months after using rigid gas permeable (RGP) contact lenses in keratoconus.

Methods: In this prospective trial study, cases were 32 keratoconic eyes with no history of RGP lens wear. All eyes were examined with the Ocular Response Analyzer (ORA) and the Corneal Visualization Scheimpflug Technology (CORVIS-ST) to measure corneal hysteresis (CH), corneal resistance factor (CRF), deformation amplitude (DA), applanation velocity (AV) 1 and 2, applanation length (AL) 1 and 2, and peak distance before and 3 months after fitting aspheric RGP lenses. The effect of the correlation between contralateral eyes and maximum keratometry were controlled for in the analysis. Results were compared using repeated measures analysis of covariance.

Results: At 3 months, neither the increases in mean CH (0.14±2.77 mmHg, P=0.789), CRF (0.41±4.35 mmHg, P=0.612), AV1 (0.03±0.17 m/s, P=0.301), AV2 (0.11±0.59 m/s, P=0.299), AL1 (0.44±1.56 m/s, P=0.118), AL2 (1.16±5.06 m/s, P=0.211), and peak distance (0.19±1.29 m/s, P=0.409), nor the decrease in mean DA (0.03±0.17 mm, P=0.402) was statistically significant.

Conclusions: Results in our series of patients indicated that 3 months of RGP lens wear had no significant impact on corneal biomechanics, and perhaps non progression of keratoconus. Therefore, RGP lenses can be regarded safe and appropriate in keratoconic patients.

Background: Evaluation of corneal biomechanical properties 3 months after using rigid gas permeable (RGP) contact lenses in keratoconus.

Methods: In this prospective trial study, cases were 32 keratoconic eyes with no history of RGP lens wear. All eyes were examined with the Ocular Response Analyzer (ORA) and the Corneal Visualization Scheimpflug Technology (CORVIS-ST) to measure corneal hysteresis (CH), corneal resistance factor (CRF), deformation amplitude (DA), applanation velocity (AV) 1 and 2, applanation length (AL) 1 and 2, and peak distance before and 3 months after fitting aspheric RGP lenses. The effect of the correlation between contralateral eyes and maximum keratometry were controlled for in the analysis. Results were compared using repeated measures analysis of covariance.

Results: At 3 months, neither the increases in mean CH (0.14±2.77 mmHg, P=0.789), CRF (0.41±4.35 mmHg, P=0.612), AV1 (0.03±0.17 m/s, P=0.301), AV2 (0.11±0.59 m/s, P=0.299), AL1 (0.44±1.56 m/s, P=0.118), AL2 (1.16±5.06 m/s, P=0.211), and peak distance (0.19±1.29 m/s, P=0.409), nor the decrease in mean DA (0.03±0.17 mm, P=0.402) was statistically significant.

Conclusions: Results in our series of patients indicated that 3 months of RGP lens wear had no significant impact on corneal biomechanics, and perhaps non progression of keratoconus. Therefore, RGP lenses can be regarded safe and appropriate in keratoconic patients.