Corneal Cross-Linking (with a Partial Deepithelization) in Keratoconus with Five Years of Follow-Up

We performed a retrospective interventional case series including 80 eyes of 48 patients with keratoconus (KC) who were treated with modified corneal cross-linking (CXL) for KC (with a partial deepithelization in a pattern of stripes). The average follow-up was 5.8 years (with a minimum of 5 years). At the last follow-up visit, compared with preoperative values, there were no significant changes in spherical equivalent, average keratometry, corneal thickness, corneal hysteresis, or corneal resistance factor. The distance-corrected visual acuity was 20/39 preoperatively and 20/36 postoperatively (P = 0.3). The endothelial cell count decreased by 4.7% (P < 0.005). These findings suggest that this modified corneal CXL technique is a safe and effective alternative to halt the progression of KC up to five years after the procedure. However, some concerns remain as to whether this technique can affect in some degree the corneal endothelial cells.