EJO
ISSN 1120-6721
European Journal of Ophthalmology
2018, Vol. 28(1) 19–24
© The Author(s) 2017
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DOI: 10.5301/ejo.5000996
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ORIGINAL RESEARCH ARTICLE
The incidence of this disease is about 1/2,000 (1) but its
frequency, partcularly in its subclinical form, has substantal-
ly increased in recent years. It is incidentally detected dur-
ing preoperatve assessments for refractve surgery and its
diagnosis relies on the analysis of precise corneo-topographic
data.
There are many therapeutc optons available for the
treatment of this disease. The frst-line management of astg-
matsm is based on optcal correcton through glasses or
contact lenses (rigid gas-permeable [RGP] lenses (4), scleral
lenses (5)), while second-line management is based on place-
ment of intrastromal corneal rings (ICR) (6). Furthermore,
cross-linking (7) is useful in the management of progressive
keratoconus. When all these therapies are insufcient, or for
inital corneal opacites with a low VA, corneal transplanta-
ton (8) is imperatve (deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty or
penetratng keratoplasty).
The incidence of keratoplasty for keratoconus is report-
ed to be on average 10% to 64% in the literature (9). In
2012 in France, 804 corneas were grafed for keratoconus,
Visual outcomes of the second eye in
keratoconic patents who have a corneal
graf in the frst eye: analysis at 12 years
Anne-Sophie Gauthier
1
, Marie Friot
1
, Marc Puyraveau
2
, Thibaud Garcin
3
, Maher Saleh
1
, Phillipe Gain
3
, Bernard Delbosc
1
1
Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital, Besançon - France
2
Faculty of Medicine, University of Franche-Comté, Besançon - France
3
Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital, Saint-Etenne - France
Introducton
Keratoconus is an ectatc corneal dystrophy usually appear-
ing during adolescence. The conditon has a slowly progressive
course, leading to corneal protrusion, irregular astgmatsm,
corneal opacites, and a drop in visual acuity (VA) (1, 2).
The exact pathogenesis remains nonelucidated. Histologic
lesions are predominant at the level of Bowman membrane
and the corneal stroma (3).
ABSTRACT
Purpose: To analyze demographic, clinical, and keratometric outcomes of the second eye in keratoconic patents
when the frst eye has already been grafed, initally and fnally at 12 years.
Methods: Retrospectve analysis of inital and 12 years visual and keratometric outcomes of the second eye in
keratoconic patents when the frst one has already been grafed.
Results: A total of 107 patents were included: 66 patents were analyzed at the beginning of the follow-up and at
12 years. There were no statstcally signifcant diferences with regard to the correcton method from the begin-
ning to the end of the follow-up; 3% of patents underwent crosslinking and 4.5% an intracorneal ring segments
implantaton. There was no signifcant progress in corneal opacites (1.5% vs 3.0% at 12 years) or visual comfort
(90.9% vs 87.9%). The mean values of best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) (0.69 vs 0.71 at 12 years, on a decimal
scale), cylinder (-2.64 D vs -3.13 D), spherical equivalent, and keratometry (46.34 D vs. 46.49 D) had not signif-
cantly changed during the follow-up period. During the follow-up, 41 patents (38.3%) received a penetratng or
lamellar keratoplasty on the contralateral eye (63% in the 5 years afer the frst corneal graf). At the tme of the
keratoplasty procedure, corneal opacites were seen in 7 patents (17.1%), mean BCVA was 0.26 ± 0.16, spherical
equivalent mean was -3.70 D, mean cylinder was 3.89 D, mean keratometry values were 52.65 ± 6.80 D, and mean
pachymetry value was 335.50 µm.
Conclusions: This study suggests that the period of risk of keratoplasty in the second eye is signifcant in the frst
5 years following the frst keratoplasty. New therapeutc treatments have been made available, allowing for sta-
bilizaton of the keratoconus decreasing the impact of transplantaton.
Keywords: Evoluton, Keratoconus, Nongraf eye
Accepted: May 12, 2017
Published online: June 10, 2017
Corresponding author:
Anne-Sophie Gauthier, MD
Department of Ophthalmology
University Hospital Besançon
3 Boulevard Alexandre Fleming
25030 Besançon, France
asophiegauthier@yahoo.fr