Quality of life in patients with progressive keratoconus treated with corneal collagen crosslinking

Abstract

Purpose To analyze the vision-related quality of life (vr-QoL) in keratoconus (KC) patients after corneal crosslinking (CXL). Methods In this prospective clinical study, next to comparing the morphology and functional parameters of KC patients, we applied the “National Eye Institute Visual Functioning Questionnaire” (NEI-25) and the “Keratoconus Outcomes Research Questionnaire” (KORQ) to analyze the vr-QoL in 41 patients before, three and six months after CXL. Rasch analyses was applied to verify the measurement precision of the KORQ in our study population. Results We did not find statistically significant changes of the corneal morphology and the best corrected visual acuity after CXL. The NEI-25 questionnaires did not show statistically significant changes throughout the follow-up period. Except from single items, the main scores of the KORQ also did not demonstrate statistically significant changes. Rasch analyses revealed a high measurement precision of the KORQ within our population. Conclusion We could demonstrate a stable (not-improving) vr-QoL after CXL in patients with progressive KC. Based on our findings we suggest very early CXL treatment in KC patients that are at high risk of progression.