Effect of Circular Keratotomy on Progression of Keratoconus

Abstract

ABSTRACT Purpose Studies on keratoconus treatment with regard to the stage of the disease have not been published. We evaluated patient outcomes over a 5-year period after circular keratotomy (CKT) to treat stage I and II progressive keratoconus. Setting Clinic Krumeich, Bochum, Germany. Design Retrospective clinical study. Materials and methods We retrospectively evaluated the outcomes of 185 consecutive CKT procedures to treat early, progressing keratoconus. A 7-mm trephine incision, with a depth that was 90% of the thinnest pachymetry value but not less than 400 µm, was made with the guided trephine system concentric to the pupil and sutured with a double running anti-torque suture. Keratometry readings and astigmatism measurements at 1-year postsurgery were compared with values obtained at 3 and 5 years postsurgery. Preoperative values of best-corrected visual acuity with glasses were compared with values obtained at 3 and 5 years postsurgery. Statistical analyses for significance were performed. Results Keratometric readings revealed stability at 5 years postsurgery in 84.3% (n= 51) of those eyes for which all values at all time points were available. Likewise, astigmatism values revealed stability in 92.2% of eyes. Best-corrected visual acuity improved significantly from preoperative to 5 years in 73.68% (n = 38). Best-corrected visual acuity did not change in 18.42% (n = 36). Conclusion Circular keratotomy halted the progression of early-stage keratoconus for at least 5 years in 84.3% of the eyes studied. The stable keratometric results suggest that CKT treatment should be considered for patients diagnosed early in the progression of this disease. How to cite this article Krumeich JH, Hirnschall N. Effect of Circular Keratotomy on Progression of Keratoconus. Int J Kerat Ect Cor Dis 2016;5(2):57-62.