lens densitometry changes after corneal collagen cross-linking in patients with keratoconus using pentacam scheimpflug camera

purpose: to evaluate densitometry of crystalline lens after cxl procedure in keratoconic patients. methods: in a quasi-experimental study three-dimensional lens densitometry was performed by pentacam scheimpflug camera at base line and 6 months later. subject group contained patients with diagnosed progressive keratoconus who underwent cxl surgery (n = 40). control group contained aged-matched patients with non-progressive keratoconus (n = 36). densitometry was performed in a fixed area of 1 mm × 2 mm of the anterior capsule and anterior cortex. results: mean age of the patients and controls were 25.8±4 years and 25±4.1 years, respectively (p = 0.392). mean lens density in the subject group was 6.68%±0.58% at base line and 6.77%±0.53% at the last visit (p = 0.352). in the control group it was 6.53%±0.27% and 6.39%±0.31%, respectively (p = 0.312). between the groups and times tthere is no statistically significant relationship  between groups and times (p = 0.19). conclusion: exposure of the crystalline lens to the uva and riboflavin free radicals during cxl procedure does not have any significant impact on the lens density.