Abstract
Purpose To investigate the safety and efficacy of topography-guided transepithelial accelerated corneal collagen cross-linking for low refractive error correction in keratoconus patients. Methods This was a prospective self-controlled study. Eighteen patients (18 eyes) were enrolled and assessed at 6 visits (pre-operation, 1 d, 1 m, 3 m, 6 m and 1 y post-operation). The examination at every visit included analysis of un-corrected visual acuity (UCVA), best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), corneal topography and corneal endothelial cell counts. Data are expressed as the mean ± standard deviation (SD). The P-value was determined using repeated measures ANOVA. Results No complications occurred in any of the eyes throughout the entire follow-up period. At each visit after the operation, the corneal K values and spherical equivalent (SE) were reduced, while visual acuity values were increased compared with those pre-operation, although these results were not statistically significant. During the follow-up, corneal endothelial cell counts were stable. Regarding the topography, part of the corneal cone was flattened after the operation. Conclusion Topography-guided transepithelial accelerated corneal collagen cross-linking is safe and may correct low refractive error in keratoconus treatment. Further studies and improvement are needed.