Evaluation of changes in corneal volume, volume and angle of anterior chamber in keratoconus patients using Pentacam after CXL.

Abstract

Corneal collagen cross-linking (CXL) with riboflavin and ultraviolet-A (UVA) is a new technique of mechanical stability of the cornea and prevention of keratoconus progression. The present study aimed at the evaluation of the changes in the corneal volume (CV), volume, and the angle of anterior chamber in keratoconus patients using the Pentacam after CXL. This prospective study was performed on 48 eyes of 24 patients (including 12 men, 17-33 years old) with progressive keratoconus undergoing CXL treatment at collagen cross-linking Imam Khomeini Hospital in Ahvaz in 2019. The CV (CV) and anterior chamber parameters such as anterior chamber volume (ACV) and anterior chamber angle (ACA) were measured using the Pentacam before CXL and at 6 and 12 months after CXL. Also, all of the patients were evaluated in terms of best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), during the follow-up. The pre-CXL values of BCVA was significantly lower than the post-CXL values in 6 and 12 months (0.18 ± 0.11, 0.15 ± 0.10, and 0.11 ± 0.10, respectively, <i>P</i> < 0.0001). In general, there was a significant improvement in the BCVA (<i>P</i> < 0.0001), a significant decrease in the CV (<i>P</i> = 0.001), and a significant increase in the ACV (<i>P</i> < 0.0001), and angle (<i>P</i> < 0.0001) 6 and 12 months after CXL. It seems that CXL has a positive effect on the anterior chamber parameters (ACV and ACA) and CV after 6 months and 1 year in the treatment of keratoconus patients. In addition, the visual acuity improves after CXL. Finally, further studies with a higher sample size and longer follow-up periods are recommended.