Dr. Shwetha NC, Dr. Roopashri Matada, Dr. Vinay R Murthy
Purpose:- To compare the efficacy and outcomes of standard and accelerated cross linking protocols in the treatment of progressive keratoconus.
Methods:- Forty eyes of 24 patients with progressive keratoconus were treated with accelerated cross linking protocol using power of 9 mW/sq.cm., for 10 minutes of irradiation. Twenty two eyes with progressive keratoconus of 12 patients were treated using standard cross linking protocol ( 3mW/sq cm., for 30 minutes) with same fluence of 5.47 J sq.cm.
Results:- At 6 months, after the cross linking procedure, both groups-the standard and accelerated group showed highly significant difference in uncorrected visual acuity. Improvement was seen in Best corrected visual acuity in both groups, but statistically significant only in accelerated group. Significant improvement was also seen in Keratometric readings.
Conclusion:- Both protocols showed a comparable outcome and proved to be safe and effective in the treatment of progressive keratoconus.