AIM:To present the outcomes of early treatment with corneal collagen cross-linking with riboflavin in patients with mild to moderate keratoconus.

METHODS:It is a prospective interventional study at tertiary eye care center. Forty-seven eyes of 38 patients with mild to moderate keratoconus who underwent collagen cross linking with riboflavin were enrolled. Preoperative data included eye involved, presenting visual acuity, intraocular pressure(IOP), pachymetry and corneal topography. Postoperative data included the best-corrected visual acuity(BCVA), IOP, pachymetry, corneal topography and postoperative complications.

RESULTS:Study comprised of 47 eyes of 38 patients aged between 16-30y. The average preoperative vision was 0.58±0.40 logMAR which significantly improved to 0.40±0.27logMAR at 2y follow up(P=0.005). The average preoperative keratometry readings were 50.5±4.6 D which significantly decreased during the subsequent follow up and the average keratometry readings at 2y was 48.2±4.1 D(P=0.011). The average IOP significantly increased postoperatively and at 2y follow up was 15.1±3.0mmHg compared to preoperative IOP(12.9±2.5 mmHg)(P=0.035). The average preoperativepachymetry was 467.9±38.8 μm, which decreased significantly and was 465.0±39.3 μm at 2y follow up. No complications were noted in any of our cases.

CONCLUSION:Early treatment with collagen cross-linking with riboflavin provide good long term visual outcomes in patients with mild to moderate keratoconus without awaiting for progression of the keratoconus.