Corneal biomechanical and tomographic outcomes following accelerated cross-linking in keratoconus: a focus on cone localization


Asfuroğlu Y., KARACA E. E., Ulusoy D. M., Kemer Ö. E.

Japanese Journal of Ophthalmology, cilt.70, sa.4, ss.796-803, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 70 Sayı: 4
  • Basım Tarihi: 2026
  • Doi Numarası: 10.1007/s10384-026-01338-z
  • Dergi Adı: Japanese Journal of Ophthalmology
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, EMBASE, MEDLINE, Academic Search Ultimate (EBSCO), Biomedical Reference Collection: Corporate Edition (EBSCO), Health Research Premium Collection (ProQuest), Pharma Collection (ProQuest)
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.796-803
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: Keratoconus, Accelerated corneal cross-linking, Corneal hysteresis, Corneal resistance factor, Demarcation line, Cone
  • Sağlık Bilimleri Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

Purpose: To evaluate the biomechanical and tomographic characteristics of keratoconic corneas undergoing accelerated cross-linking (CXL) for over one year and to assess the impact of cone localization on postoperative biomechanical behavior. Study design: Prospective-comparative. Methods: This study included 68 eyes of 68 patients with progressive keratoconus. Based on cone location, the patients were divided into two groups: group 1 (central cone; 34 eyes) and group 2 (paracentral cone; 34 eyes). Scheimpflug imaging was used to assess the corneal thickness, anterior and posterior Kmean, Kmax, and astigmatism. The Ocular Response Analyzer (ORA) measures corneal compensated intraocular pressure (IOPcc), Goldmann-correlated pressure (IOPg), corneal hysteresis (CH), and corneal resistance factor (CRF). All the baseline measurements were repeated at 1, 6, and 12 months. Demarcation line (DL) depth was assessed at 1 month using anterior segment optical coherence tomography. Best corrected visual acuity was recorded at each visit. Results: At 1year, anterior Kmean, posterior Kmean and Kmax showed significant reductions (p < 0.01). No significant differences in CH or CRF changes were found between the central and peripheral cones (p = 0.22, p = 0.33). Visual improvement and reduction in spherical equivalent were greater in the central cone group (p = 0.03, p = 0.03). DL depth correlated positively with CH and CRF at 1 month (p = 0.02, p = 0.008), but not at 1 year. Conclusion: Accelerated CXL improves corneal shape, but may not produce detectable changes in ORA-derived biomechanics. Regional stiffening may not be captured by global indices, and the cone location appears to be more influential on visual recovery than biomechanical parameters.