Use of Donors Predisposed by Corneal Collagen Cross-linking in Penetrating Keratoplasty for Treating Patients With Keratoconus.

PURPOSE: To investigate whether use of donors predisposed by corneal collagen cross-linking (CXL) reduced myopic refractive errors for keratoconic eyes after penetrating keratoplasty (PK).

DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial.

METHODS: One hundred sixteen eyes of 116 patients with keratoconus from Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center were enrolled. Using stratified block randomization, we assigned eligible eyes to the CXL graft group (Group 1) or conventional graft group (Group 2). Uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA), corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), spherical equivalent (SE), and topographic data were compared 12, 24, and 36 months after surgery.

RESULTS: Group 1 had better UDVA and CDVA than Group 2 after 1 year follow-up. Also, Group 1 had a lesser degree of SE and lower manifest cylinder than Group 2. At 3 years follow-up, mean CDVA was 0.17 ± 0.10 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) in Group 1 vs 0.23 ± 0.12 logMAR in Group 2 (P = .004). Mean SE was -3.50 ± 2.93 diopter (D) in Group 1 and -4.02 ± 2.57 D in Group 2 (P = .034). Mean manifest cylinder was -5.22 ± 2.64 D and -6.35 ± 2.80 D in Group 1 and Group 2, respectively (P = .013). At 3 years follow-up, simulated keratometry in the steepest meridian (Kmax) was 46.85 ± 2.85 D vs 49.37 ± 2.92 D (P = .036); corneal power was 44.41 ± 2.89 D vs 46.35 ± 2.87 D (P = .001); and keratometric astigmatism was 4.53 ± 1.06 D vs 5.98 ± 1.28 D (P < .001) in Group 1 and Group 2, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS: Use of donors predisposed by CXL could reduce topographic readings after PK for the treatment of keratoconus, and consequently reduce myopic refractive errors and improve visual acuity.