Corneal Collagen Cross Linking (CXL) in treatment of Pseudophakic Bullous Keratopathy

OBJECTIVE To determine mean change in visual acuity, central corneal thickness and symptoms in patients with pseudophakic bullous keratopathy after treatment with corneal collagen crosslinking. METHODS This quasi experimental study was conducted at Armed Forces Institute of Ophthalmology, Rawalpindi, Pakistan from April 2015 to Nov 2015. A total of 24 eyes of 24 patients were included in the study. Visual symptoms were graded in five grades (Grade 1-5), Grade-1 being very mild with decreased vision only while patients with all five symptoms (decreased vision, foreign body sensations, pain, watering and photophobia) were graded as Grade-5. Corneal collagen cross linking using topical isotonic riboflavin followed by UVA radiations (3mW/cm(2) for 10 minutes) was performed in all the patients. Visual acuity (VA), visual symptoms and central corneal thickness (CCT) were recorded before and 04 weeks after the treatment. RESULTS A total of 24 eyes of 24 patients (18 male and 6 females) underwent surgery. Age of the patients ranged from 55 to 75 years with mean age 65.83 + 3.89 years. Mean visual acuity was 2.09 + 0.23 before treatment while after treatment it was 2.13 + 0.22. Mean CCT as measured by optical pachymetry (Galilae G6) was 753.96 + 55.16 and 641+ 29.25 before and after surgery respectively. Improvement of clinical symptoms was seen in all the patients. CONCLUSION Corneal collagen cross linking is a temporary but effective symptomatic treatment of pseudophakic bullous keratopathy.