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Standard Versus Transepithelial Corneal Crosslinking

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Keratoconus
Interventions
Procedure: Transepithelial versus epithelium-off CXL
Drug: Ricrolin TE
Registration Number
NCT02349165
Lead Sponsor
Nienke Soeters
Brief Summary

The gold standard corneal crosslinking (CXL) technique involves the initial step of epithelial removal, in order to achieve a sufficient treatment effect (meaning: stabilisation of progressive keratoconus (KC). Our aim is to evaluate the effects of transepithelial CXL (TE-CXL), whereby the epithelium is left intact and the cornea is instead treated by a solution composed of 0.1% riboflavin, combined with enhancers, after which standard CXL is performed. This solution seems to facilitate riboflavin penetration into the corneal stroma through the intact epithelium. The investigators expect to achieve a similar effect of TE-CXL with the advantage of a faster healing time and less risk of infections.

Detailed Description

Not available

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
61
Inclusion Criteria
  • Documented progressive KC (by Pentacam and/or corneal topography imaging).
  • A clear central cornea.
  • A minimal corneal thickness of ≥ 400 µm at the thinnest corneal location (Pentacam imaging).
  • Minimal Snellen corrected distance visual acuity of ≥ 0.4.
  • Patient age of ≥ 18 years.

For this research study, the inclusion parameters will be the same as mentioned above, with the following additional inclusion criteria:

  • Documented progression of KC, as demonstrated by anterior segment imaging and/or corneal topography:

    o Defined an increase in maximal keratometry, steepest keratometry, mean keratometry or topographic cylinder value by ≥ 0.5 D over the previous 6 months and/or a decrease in thinnest pachymetry

  • Documented progression of KC defined by increase in refractive cylinder of ≥ 0.5 D over the previous 6 months

Exclusion Criteria
  • Presence of corneal scars.
  • History of epithelial healing problems.
  • Presence of previous ocular infection (such as herpes keratitis).
  • Patients who are pregnant and/or breastfeeding.

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
epithelium off CXLIsotonic riboflavinepithelium removal + 30 minute isotonic riboflavin eye drops (3 minute interval) + 30 minutes ultraviolet-A irradiation (riboflavin every 5 minutes)
Ricrolin TE CXLTransepithelial versus epithelium-off CXLRicrolin-TE eye drops for 15 minutes (2 minute interval) and 15 minute Ricrolin TE pooled on the cornea using a silicone ring + 30 minutes ultraviolet-A irradiation (Ricrolin TE every 5 minutes).
Ricrolin TE CXLRicrolin TERicrolin-TE eye drops for 15 minutes (2 minute interval) and 15 minute Ricrolin TE pooled on the cornea using a silicone ring + 30 minutes ultraviolet-A irradiation (Ricrolin TE every 5 minutes).
epithelium off CXLTransepithelial versus epithelium-off CXLepithelium removal + 30 minute isotonic riboflavin eye drops (3 minute interval) + 30 minutes ultraviolet-A irradiation (riboflavin every 5 minutes)
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Clinical stabilisation of keratoconus one year after CXL1 year

Using a Scheimpflug device (Pentacam, Oculus), topography measurements are performed. Clinical stabilisation is defined as an increase of no more than 1 diopter of the maximum keratometry value over the preoperative maximum keratometry value.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Complications, defined as epithelial healing problems and/or keratitis.1 year

the incidence of epithelial healing problems after treatment will be recorded

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

University Medical Center Utrecht

🇳🇱

Utrecht, Netherlands

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