Long-term results of corneal collagen crosslinking for recurrent corneal erosion

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Recurrent corneal erosion (RCE) is characterized by excacerbation and remission episodes, reduced patients quality of life affecting their daily and professional activities. In case of conservative therapy inefficacy surgical procedures are used (Bowmans membrane polishing with diamond drill, excimer laser phototherapeutic keratectomy, anterior stromal puncture, and amniotic membrane transplantation). All methods have their advantages and weak points, as well as a certain percent of recurrence. In this regard the use of corneal collagen cross-linking is of the interest as an alternative method of the RCE surgical treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 18 patients (20 eyes) with RCE without central corneal stroma scars, aged from 30 to 66 (average 49,5 10,6, all women), after conservative treatment failure (more than 6 months) underwent cross-linking according to the Dresden protocol with the UVX device, version 1000, by IROC INNOCROSS (Switzerland). RESULTS: All patients were asymptomatic and had no recurrence during the observation period (from 1 to 6 years, in average 2,6 1,6). There was a slight but statistically significant BCVA improvement (from 0,93 0,09 at baseline to 0,97 0,07 after intervention). CONCLUSIONS: Crosslinking may be an additional and effective treatment in a number of RCE cases when there is no central corneal stromal scars present. To reduce stromal keratocytes alteration during the procedure modified protocols may be used.