Accelerated CXL versus accelerated contact lens–assisted CXL for progressive keratoconus in adults

PURPOSE: To compare the clinical and tomographic properties of adult patients with keratoconus treated with accelerated corneal cross-linking (A-CXL) versus accelerated contact lens–assisted corneal cross-linking (A-CACXL). METHODS: Patients who underwent A-CXL and A-CACXL due to progressive keratoconus were enrolled from January 2015 to January 2018 in this retrospective case–control study. The treatment group (minimum corneal thickness of less than 400 µm after epithelium removal; 30 patients, 30 eyes) was treated with A-CACXL; the control group (minimum corneal thickness of 400 µm or greater, 32 patients, 32 eyes) was treated with A-CXL. Assessments occurred before treatment and 12 months postoperatively. Demographic, clinical, and tomographic data were obtained from outpatient clinic reports. RESULTS: Significant improvement in visual acuity was evident at 12-month follow-up for the control group in uncorrected distance visual acuity (0.62 ± 0.42 vs 0.43 ± 0.31 logMAR, P = .01) and the treatment group in corrected distance visual acuity (0.51 ± 0.30 vs 0.40 ± 0.49 logMAR, P = .03). Progression of keratoconus was halted at similar rates for both groups (76.7% treatment, 84.4% control, P = .21). Mean minimum corneal thickness showed minor but significant thinning at the 12-month follow-up visit compared to baseline (control group = 463 ± 31 vs 450 ± 35 µm, P > .01; treatment group = 398 ± 32 vs 388 ± 41 µm, P = .02). CONCLUSIONS: A-CACXL halted keratoconus progression in 76.7% of eyes and achieved regression in 33.3% of eyes, with rates comparable to A-CXL. Visual outcomes improved for both groups, with similar keratometry changes. A-CACXL is an effective and safe option for patients with keratoconus and thin corneas, with results similar to A-CXL treatment in patients with a minimum corneal thickness of 400 µm or greater.