Intra- and postoperative variation in ocular response analyzer parameters in keratoconic eyes after corneal cross-linking

PURPOSE: To analyze intra- and postoperative variation in Ocular Response Analyzer (ORA, Reichert Ophthalmic Instruments) parameters in 24 keratoconic eyes undergoing corneal cross-linking (CXL). METHODS: In a prospective clinical study, corneal hysteresis (CH), corneal resistance factor (CRF), peak 1 and peak 2 amplitude, corneal-compensated and Goldmann-correlated intraocular pressure (IOP) were evaluated using the ORA. The thinnest cornea point was measured with the Pentacam (Oculus Inc). Corneal topography and endothelial cell count were performed. Measurements were recorded at baseline; intraoperatively after epithelium removal, riboflavin impregnation, and ultraviolet A irradiation; and postoperatively after corneal re-epithelialization and at 1, 6, and 12 months. RESULTS: A statistically significant reduction of the thinnest cornea point from 462±23.24 μm was observed at the end of the CXL procedure intraoperatively and at 1- and 6-month follow-up (P.05). CONCLUSIONS: The results showed a significant change in ORA parameters and the thinnest cornea point during and after the CXL procedure and a high correlation between peak amplitudes and corneal asymmetry, providing insight to the bioelastic and biomechanical behavior of the cornea during and after CXL.