The aim of the study is to evaluate two different techniques of cross linking: standard epithelium off (CXL epi off) versus trans-epithelial (CXL epi on) cross linking in patient with progressive keratoconus.~Forty eyes from 32 patients with progressive keratoconus were prospectively enrolled from June 2014 to June 2015 in this non-blinded, randomized comparative study. Twenty eyes were treated by CXL epi off and 20 by CLX epi on, randomly assigned and followed for 2 years. All patients underwent a complete ophthalmologic testing that included uncorrected and best corrected visual acuity, central and peripheral corneal thickness, corneal astigmatism, simulated maximum, minimum, and average keratometry, corneal confocal microscopy, Schirmer I and break-up time (BUT) tests, and the Ocular Surface Disease Index. Intra-and postoperative complications were recorded. The solution used for CXL epi off comprised riboflavin 0.1% and dextran 20.0% (Ricrolin), whereas the solution for CXL epi on (Ricrolin, TE) comprised riboflavin 0.1%, dextran 15.0%, trometamol (Tris), and ethylene-diamine-tetra-acetic acid. Ultraviolet-A treatment was performed with UV-X System at 3 mW/cm2.
To evaluate two different techniques of cross linking: standard epithelium off (CXL epi off) versus trans-epithelial (CXL epi on) cross linking in patient with progressive keratoconus.