Pachymetric Assessment After EpiSmart(®) Epithelium-on Cross-Linking for Keratoconus and Post-Surgical Ectasia

PURPOSE: To assess the change in corneal pachymetry after a novel epithelium-on (EpiSmart(®)) corneal crosslinking procedure (CXL). METHODS: Eyes treated as part of the open-label, non-controlled arm of the study “Collagen Crosslinking with Ultraviolet-A in Asymmetric Corneas” (NCT01097447) were examined at baseline, 3-, 6- and 12-months post-CXL. Thinnest pachymetry readings based on Pentacam (OCULUS GmbH, Wetzlar, Germany) were recorded. RESULTS: A total of 101 eyes met the study inclusion criteria. Thinnest pachymetric readings at baseline averaged 451 ± 50 microns. The mean (± SD) minimum thickness was 450 ± 46 microns at 3 months, 452 ± 47 microns at 6 months, and 451 ± 48 microns at 12 months post-CXL. The changes from baseline (mean ± SE) at 3, 6, and 12 months post-CXL were −1.2 ± 1.5 microns, 0.5 ± 1.6 microns, and 0.4 ± 1.6 microns, respectively. Student’s t-tests showed no statistically significant change in pachymetry from baseline for any exam period. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that, after EpiSmart(®) epithelium-on CXL, there was no substantial corneal thinning observable on Scheimpflug tomography out to 12 months.