RESEARCH ARTICLE


Transepithelial Photorefractive Keratectomy with Crosslinking for Keratoconus



Achyut N Mukherjee*, Vasilis Selimis , Ioannis Aslanides
Emmetropia Mediterranean Eye Clinic, Elefteria Square 44, Heraklion, Crete 71201, Greece


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Creative Commons License
© Mukherjee et al.; Licensee Bentham Open.

open-access license: This is an open access article licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/) which permits unrestricted, non-commercial use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the work is properly cited.

* Address correspondence to this author at the Emmetropia Mediterranean Eye Clinic, Elefteria Square 44, Heraklion, Crete 71201, Greece; Tel: 0030 2810 226198; Fax. 0030 2810 343436; E-mail: hatch.mukherjee@gmail.com


Abstract

Purpose:

To analyse visual, refractive and topographic outcomes of combining transepithelial photorefractive keratectomy (tPRK) with simultaneous corneal crosslinking for the visual rehabilitation of contact lens intolerant keratoconus patients.

Methods:

Patients with topographically significant keratoconus, limited corrected vision and intolerant of contact lenses were prospectively recruited, subject to ethical approval and consent. All patients underwent single step aspheric tPRK and sequential crosslinking. Preoperative vision, refraction, corneal topography and wavefront were assessed, with postoperative assessment at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months.

Results:

22 eyes of 14 patients were included in the pilot study. Mean age was 32 years (SD 6.8, range 24 to 43). Mean preoperative unaided vision was 1.39 LogMAR (SD 0.5) best corrected 0.31 LogMAR (SD 0.2). Mean preoperative spherical equivalent was -2.74 Diopters (D) (SD 4.1 range -12.25 to +7.75), and mean cylinder -2.9 D (SD 1.2, range 0 to -5.5). Mean central corneal thickness was 461um (SD 29, range 411 to 516). Vision improved postoperatively; unaided 0.32 LogMAR (SD 0.4), best corrected 0.11 (SD 0.13) (P=<0.005). Mean postoperative cylinder was -1.4D (SD1.2), significantly reduced (p<0.005). Maximum keratometry (Kmax) was stable throughout postoperative follow up. (p<0.05).

Conclusions:

Non topographic transepithelial PRK with simultaneous crosslinking improves vision, and may offer an alternative to keratoplasty in contact lens intolerant keratoconus. Further comparative studies to topographic PRK techniques are indicated.

Keywords: : Keratoconus, photorefractive keratectomy, collagen crosslinking therapy (CXL), tPRK.



INTRODUCTION

Keratoconus is the most common keratectasia, where thinning and irregularity of the cornea result in visual disability, with often profound impact on young patients. Current mainstream therapy is the use of rigid contact lenses, with keratoplasty reserved for advanced cases or contact lens intolerance. Emerging therapies include intrastromal ring segments and photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) in addition to collagen crosslinking therapy (CXL), which aims to stabilize rather than improve visual function [1]. Current regimes for PRK utilize topographically guided profiles, intended to regularise the corneal surface and improve vision [2-9].

The aim of the current study was to evaluate a novel transepithelial PRK protocol where, in contradiction to previous studies, topographic treatment planning and profiles were not used. This was combined with simultaneous CXL. This treatment was utilized for contact lens intolerant patients with visually disabling keratoconus, for whom further conventional therapy would involve keratoplasty.

PATIENTS & METHODS

This was a prospective uncontrolled interventional pilot study, consisting of 22 eyes of 14 consecutive patients with keratoconus prospectively recruited at a private eye clinic in Crete, Greece, who underwent combined simultaneous transepithelial PRK and CXL.

Inclusion criteria were a minimum age of 21 years, clinical evidence of keratoconus, as well as topographic changes consistent with moderate keratoconus severity (Amsler-Krumeich stage I-II). All patients had visually significant disease, with significant disability not adequately corrected with spectacles and best spectacle corrected vision worse than 0.8 decimal Snellen fraction (0.1 LogMAR equivalent). All cases were either intolerant of rigid contact lenses, or unable to wear contact lenses due to social or occupational reasons. Patients were included irrespective of whether the keratoconus was stable or progressive. Cases were excluded in the presence of any significant corneal scarring or hydrops, co-existing ocular pathology or previous surgery. Patients were prospectively recruited subject to informed consent. Ethical approval for the study was sought and obtained from the institutional research ethics committee.

Preoperative assessment included uncorrected and spectacle corrected acuity, cycloplegic and non cycloplegic autorefraction and subjective refraction, and slit lamp examination including dilated fundoscopy and intraocular pressure. Corneal topography with Orbscan IIz (Bausch & Lomb, USA), Keratron Scout corneal wavefront analysis (Optikon S.p.A. Italy), Hartmann Schack Aberrometery (ORK-Wavefront-Analyzer, Schwind eye-tech-solutions GmbH, Germany), and ultrasound pachymetry (Corneo-Gage plus, Sonogage, USA) were also assessed.

SURGICAL PLANNING & TECHNIQUE

All treatments were carried out using the Schwind AMARIS 750 excimer laser platform (Schwind eye-tech-solutions GmbH, Kleinostheim, Germany), a 193nm, 0.54mm super Gaussian profile flying spot laser with 6 axis eye tracking, and thermal optimisation. In contrast to previous studies, we utilized a transepithelial single step PRK (All Surface Laser Ablation or ASLA) with a population based custom epithelial profile and reverse application of the refractive ablation first followed by the epithelial component, in an uninterrupted delivery [10]. This was followed by immediate CXL. Unlike some previous studies, Mitomycin C was not used [2,3]. All laser profiles were based on spherocylindrical parameters only, and were not topography or wavefront guided as in previous studies [2-5]. Laser surgical parameters were determined according to the following algorithm. The optical zone was reduced to minimise ablation depth depending on the planned correction, typically 5.5mm. The subjective refractive cylinder was corrected up to 100%, but generally a lower proportion, up to a maximal ablation depth over the ectatic cornea of 50um. This was correlated to the topographic cylinder. In cases where the topographic and subjective cylinder did not correlate, a lower proportion of cylinder was corrected. If the cylindrical correction did not require the maximal permitted 50um ablation, then the remaining available ablation depth was used to correct as much spherical error as possible.

Prior to ablation a Merocell sponge (Medtronic Inc., USA) dipped in balanced salt solution (BSS) was applied on the corneal surface to avoid uneven wetting and hence ablation [10]. Following single step excimer laser ablation, the cornea was cooled with 20ml chilled BSS and ultrasonic pachymetry of the residual thickness was performed. Riboflavin drops were applied, using hypo-osmolar drops in cases with <350um residual pachymetry for 5 minutes. Immediate corneal crosslinking was then carried out using a UV-X Crosslinker (Peshke Meditrade GmBH) with a radiation of 3mW/cm2 for 30 minutes. 1 drop of topical Ketorolac 0.5% and 1 drop of Ofloxacin 0.3% were instilled and a bandage contact lens inserted. Postoperative drops were Ofloxacin 0.3% q.i.d. until contact lens removal, Dexamethasone 0.1% drops q.i.d., and artificial tear drops q.i.d.

Postoperative Assessment

Patients underwent routine postoperative assessment at day 1, 3, 7 and month 1, 3, 6 and 12. At the postoperative study visits after 3 months, vision, subjective refraction, slitlamp biomicroscopy with grading of haze and corneal topography were performed.

Analysis

Data were analysed using Microsoft Excel (Microsoft Corporation, Redmond, WA, USA). Continuous variables were compared using unpaired t-tests, with temporal changes using paired t-tests. Categorical data were compared using Fishers exact test.

RESULTS

22 eyes of 14 consecutive patients were included, subject to meeting the inclusion criteria and informed consent. There were 10 male and 4 female patients. Mean age was 32 years (SD 6.8, range 24 to 43).

Treatment Parameters

Due to the variable proportion of total refractive error treated as noted above, the relative proportion corrected was assessed for each case. The mean proportion of preoperative astigmatic error targeted in the ablation profile planning was 77.1% (SD25.7). The mean spherical correction was 58.7 % (SD 51.1) of the full refractive spherical error. Preoperative ultrasound central corneal thickness was 461 um (SD 27, range 411 to 516). There were no adverse events.

Visual Acuity

Mean preoperative BCVA was 0.31 LogMAR (SD 0.2, range 0.1 to 0.7). Mean BCVA at 6 months was 0.23 (SD 0.22 range 0.05 to 0.7) and at 12 months follow up was 0.11 LogMAR (SD 0.13, range -0.08 to 0.5) (p<0.0001 compared to preoperative). Mean preoperative UCVA was 1.39 LogMAR (SD 0.5, range 0.3 to 1.7) and postoperatively at 6 months was 0.36 (SD 0.46 range 0.05 to 1.7), at 12 months improving to 0.27 LogMAR (SD 0.4, range 0 to 1.7), significantly better than baseline (p< 0.0001). Functionally, at 12 months, 64% of eyes achieved 0.1 LogMAR (Snellen 6/8.5) or better postoperatively vs 22% achieving the same level of acuity preoperatively (p=0.021), while 41% achieved 0.05 LogMAR (Snellen 6/6.7) compared to none preoperatively. The change of visual acuity distribution pre to post operatively is shown in Fig. (1). In terms of safety, no eye lost lines of best corrected acuity. 68% of eyes improved by 2 or more lines of corrected acuity postoperatively (Fig. 2).

Fig. (1).

Postoperative improvement in corrected visual acuity at 12 months following transepithelial non topographic photorefractive keratectomy in contact lens intolerant keratoconics.


Fig. (2).

Postoperative safety and improvement in lines of acuity at 12 months following transepithelial non topographic photorefractive keratectomy for keratoconus.


Fig. (3).

Refractive changes at 12 months following transepithelial non topographic photorefractive keratectomy for keratoconus.


Fig. (4).

Temporal Changes in Keratometry (Kmax) Following Non-topographic Transepithelial Photorefractive Keratectomy with Crosslinking for Keratoconus. The adjoined table provides the statistical assessment of changes compared to preoperative (first row) and over the post operative period (second row), showing a statistically significant reduction postoperatively, but stability over the postoperative follow up period.


Fig. (5).

Clinical example of non-topographic transepithelial photorefractive keratectomy with combined crosslinking for keratoconus. Preoperative and postoperative corneal topography at 24 months. Vision improved from LogMAR 1.0 unaided and 0.7 best corrected to 0.05 unaided, -0.08 best corrected.


Refractive Outcome

There was a statistically significant reduction in spherical equivalent refraction from mean preoperative -2.74 D(SD 4.0, range -12.25 to 7.75) to 12 months postoperative mean -0.3D (SD 3.2, range -5.0 to +9.0) (P=0.002). Mean absolute spherical equivalent was 3.88D (SD 2.98, range 0 to 12.25) preoperatively and postoperatively was 1.99D (SD 2.5, range 0 to +9.0) (p=0.019). Mean spherical equivalent prediction error (achieved – expected spherical equivalent) was 1.3D (SD 2.68, range -4.75 to +10). Mean preoperative refractive astigmatism was -2.95D (SD 1.2, range -5.5 to 0), and postoperatively significantly decreased to -1.45D (SD 1.2, range -3.5 to 0) (p=0.0009) (Fig. 3).

Topographic Parameters

Keratometric values were significantly reduced at the 12 month visit, from mean keratometry (Kmean) 46.7D (SD 3.5, range 40.3 to 55.3) and mean steepest keratometry (Kmax) 48.6 (SD 3.7, range 41.5 to 57.9) preoperatively to Kmean 44.8D (SD 2.2, range 42.2 to 49.8) and Kmax 44.46D (SD 3.1, range 39.2 to 53.0) postoperatively, a statistically significant reduction (P=0.0004, P=0.001 respectively). We further sought to assess the stability of the treatment over time. The variation in Kmax over time is shown in Fig. (4), with associated P values compared to preoperative baseline and 3 month postoperative visit. Keratometric values appeared stable postoperatively, with no evidence of progression in Kmax over the follow up period (p>0.05 at all time points). Preoperative mean keratometric astigmatism was 3.85D (SD 1.93, range 0.3 to 9.0), postoperatively at 3.48 D (SD 2.03, range 0.3 to 7.4) (P= 0.33). Pre and postoperative topographic characteristics of a typical treatment are shown in Fig. (5).

Haze

Haze was clinically graded according to the scheme of Fantes et al. [11]. 4 (18 %) of eyes developed some haze, with 1 eye grade 1, 2 grade 2 and 1 grade 3. Only the eye with grade 3 haze was felt to have any possible impact on vision, although this eye still had a vision of 0.1 LogMAR compared to 0.3 preoperatively, and was continuing to regress at last follow up.

DISCUSSION

Corneal crosslinking therapy has been a paradigm change in keratoconus management. It is not, however, primarily intended to correct existing visual deficit. The use of rigid contact lenses is for the most part an acceptable option. However for a significant number of patients these may not be tolerable in terms of comfort, limited wear time, occupational or social limitations [12]. Additionally, a proportion of patients do not tolerate rigid contact lens wear at all, necessitating keratoplasty, but this is limited by prolonged rehabilitation, risks, visual limitation, and recurrent need for rigid lenses to achieve functional vision [13]. Several newer therapies have been reported in combination with cross linking to address the need for visual rehabilitation in this group, including the use of intracorneal ring segments, and more recently excimer laser PRK surface ablation [3,5-7,14,15]. In this series we assessed a non-topographic protocol for the latter.

The most notable finding of our series was a significant improvement in vision, both corrected and unaided. The proportion of eyes achieving a functional threshold of 0.1 LogMAR (Snellen 6/8.5) increased from 22 to 64%, a significant proportion who might otherwise have to consider keratoplasty. Notably, even in cases with residual refractive errors, these were easily correctable with glasses or soft contact lenses rather than rigid lenses, with benefits of wear time and tolerance. These visual acuity improvements compare favourably to those described in published series of topographically guided excimer treatments. By comparison current studies of CXL alone demonstrate a modest and unpredictable improvement in visual function in just over half of cases, with the remainder remaining stable, but a proportion also worsening in acuity terms [16, 17]. Correction of topographic parameters was not directly targeted by the technique; however there was significant improvement in topographic parameters. This change in parameters was unpredictable and greater than expected given the ablation profiles, highlighting the unpredictable nature of topographic response in ectasia. A concern related to the use of PRK in keratoconus is the possibility of accelerating or inducing disease progression. However even without CXL, Alpins et al. followed patients up to 10 years after PRK for keratoconus with no evidence of progression, while Cennamo et al. found no progression at 2 years [7,9]. Kannelopoulos et al. followed patients with combined CXL and PRK for a mean of 3 years, with no obvious increased progression, while in a smaller series Stjanovic et al. also found no progression at a year, as did Kymionis et al. [3,5,15]. Alessio et al., comparing combined PRK with CXL to CXL alone, found no evidence of increased progression at 2 years [18]. We found no clinical suggestion of progressive ectasia in any eye, despite not excluding progressive disease from the initial study cohort. Although limited by the follow up period, there was some evidence of keratometric stability in Kmax over this period.

In this study we utilized non-topographic aspheric profiles derived from refraction and topography, combined with simultaneous CXL. In contrast, current treatment strategies use topographically derived treatment profiles with the intention of correcting aberrations. The use of topographic profiles however, assumes that the shape change in the ectatic cornea predictably responds to ablation shape. However, there are several potential causes of unpredictable response to topographic planning. Firstly, the use of topographic profiles ignores the biomechanical effects of such ablations in compromised cornea [19]. Secondly, the actual tissue ablation rate may differ in keratoconic tissue, with unexpected topographic effects. Thirdly, the measured and ablated surfaces differ unless a transepithelial therapy is used, since the epithelial profile in keratoconus is irregular [5]. Finally and most significantly, crosslinking itself has progressive effects on keratoconic topography, which are not accounted for [16,20].

Our rationale for non-topographic aspheric astigmatic profiles was minimise stromal ablation, while preserving beneficial effects of combining PRK and CXL. A transepithelial treatment was chosen to obtain a corrective effect based on the differential epithelial profile around the cone, which has been shown to have a ‘doughnut’ distribution, thus the masking effect of the epithelium would tend to regularise the cone [21]. Notably, combined excimer laser ablation and CXL may also have a beneficial effect on keratoconus independent of topographic or refractive correction. This has been demonstrated in a recent series by Kymionis et al., where PTK epithelial removal for CXL resulted in superior visual outcomes compared to mechanical removal [22]. Although MMC in keratoconic PRK has been used, we felt that CXL induced keratocyte depopulation offsets the need for chemotherapy, particularly as the transepithelial treatment causes less haze [10]. Although we had initial concerns regarding potential haze, in this and a previous transepithelial PRK study, haze was insignificant [5].

The major limitation of the study was the absence of a control group. We did not feel that a retrospective control group of CXL alone would be superior to comparison of existing large CXL series. A future study comparing topographic to non-topographic treatment is planned. Notwithstanding these issues, we feel that this technique shows promise as a preliminary intervention in contact lens intolerant keratoconics with moderate disease, particularly where keratoplasty or other surgical intervention is being considered, and is worthy of further evaluation.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

The authors confirm that this article content has no conflict of interest.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Declared none.

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