# Corneal crosslinking efficacy in patients with keratoconus under 18 years of age

## TL;DR

This study shows that corneal crosslinking can stabilize keratoconus in children under 18, with mostly positive outcomes over two years.

## Contribution

The paper provides empirical evidence on the efficacy of crosslinking in pediatric keratoconus patients, a less studied group.

## Key findings

- Most patients showed reduced Kmax and improved visual acuity after crosslinking.
- Only one eye showed significant Kmax increase over 12 months.
- Corneal thinning was observed in the first four months post-surgery.

## Abstract

Keratoconus presents certain specificities in pediatric patients compared
with adults. The greatest challenge is because the disease is typically more
severe and progresses faster in children. This retrospective study aimed to
report crosslinking procedure in patients under 18 years of age and their
follow-up for at least 24 months after the procedure.

Overall, 12 eyes from 10 patients were studied and data, such as visual
acuity with and without correction, maximum keratometry, corneal thickness,
foveal thickness, and endothelial microscopy, were assessed at both
preoperative and postoperative visits. Corneal crosslinking was performed in
all patients.

A tendency toward reduced Kmax and improved Corrected Distance
Visual Acuity at all postoperative moments. Only one of the 12 eyes
exhibited increased Kmax of more than 1 D during a time frame
longer than 12 months. Regarding pachymetry, a tendency for corneal thinning
was observed in the first four months after surgery.

Encouraging results were obtained regarding the stabilization of the disease,
progression, and procedural safety, corroborating to other authors’
findings. The significance of early diagnosis and short-term follow-up were
highlighted.