A Comparative Study of Corneal Changes in Continuous and Pulsed Light Accelerated Corneal Cross-linking

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Ophthalmology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt.

2 Ophthalmology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt..

10.21608/jcmrp.2025.369799.1240

Abstract

Abstract:
Purpose: This study compared corneal changes (thickness, demarcation line depth on AS-OCT) and functional outcomes between pulsed and continuous accelerated corneal cross-linking (P-ACXL vs. C-ACXL) in patients with corneal in AS-OCT.
Patients and Methods: This is a prospective interventional study; 33 eyes (18 patients) underwent epithelium-off P-ACXL or C-ACXL. Assessments included BCVA, refractive error (MRSE), keratometry (average K, KMAX), and AS-OCT-measured corneal parameters.
Results: BCVA improved significantly in both groups at 1 and 3 months (p < 0.001), with no intergroup differences. Inferior corneal thickness was lower in C-ACXL vs. P-ACXL (478.94 ± 30.58 µm vs. 500.50 ± 38.17 µm; p=0.04). Corneal thickness decreased significantly from baseline in both groups (p<0.001). The demarcation line was shallower in C-ACXL at 1 and 3 months (p<0.001).
Conclusions: Both P-ACXL and C-ACXL safely improved vision and reduced corneal thickness. The shallower demarcation line with C-ACXL may reflect distinct stromal remodeling patterns, warranting further study.
 

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