methylcellulose and Keratoconus

To compare the effect of corneal collagen cross-linking (CXL) on progressive keratoconus using 0.1% riboflavin with either dextran or methylcellulose as the main supplement.. In a comparative case series, CXL was performed in 40 patients (40 eyes) using a riboflavin solution containing either dextran (dextran-riboflavin; n = 20) or methylcellulose (methylcellulose-riboflavin; n = 20). Changes in central corneal thickness (CCT), Scheimpflug tomography, maximal keratometry reading (K. The CCT was significantly higher in the methylcellulose-riboflavin group during the CXL procedure. The IVCM demarcation line depth was 274 ± 80 (SD) μm in the dextran-riboflavin group and 442 ± 80 μm in the methylcellulose-riboflavin group (p < 0.001). Complete absence of keratocytes in the pre-endothelial stroma was found in none of the corneas treated with dextran-riboflavin and in 42% of the corneas treated with methylcellulose-riboflavin. Visibility of the OCT demarcation line was significantly lower in the methylcellulose-riboflavin group. K. We found deeper structural changes in the methylcellulose-riboflavin group than in the dextran-riboflavin group. This may be explained by different riboflavin solution properties and raises safety concerns. The study also indicates improved effect using methylcellulose-riboflavin than dextran-riboflavin, possibly explained by deeper stromal CXL effect.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Collagen; Cornea; Corneal Pachymetry; Corneal Topography; Cross-Linking Reagents; Dextrans; Drug Therapy, Combination; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Keratoconus; Male; Methylcellulose; Microscopy, Confocal; Photochemotherapy; Photosensitizing Agents; Plasma Substitutes; Prospective Studies; Riboflavin; Tomography, Optical Coherence; Treatment Outcome; Ultraviolet Rays; Visual Acuity; Young Adult