Effect of corneal collagen cross-linking on quality of life in patients with bullous Keratopathy

To evaluate the effect of corneal cross-linking (CXL) on quality of life in patients with bullous keratopathy.

Ten patients with painful bullous keratopathy to whom CXL treatment was applied were included in the study group. Ten consecutive patients with painful bullous keratopathy who didn't accept CXL treatment were admitted as the control group. SF-36 (Short Form-36) questionnaire was performed to all patients at baseline, and repeated at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months.

A significant improvement in “Physical Functioning” and “Vitality” subscales starting from the first month after CXL treatment, continuing upto the postoperative 6th month (p=0.04, p=0.01, respectively) was achieved. An improvement in “Bodily Pain” subscale was achieved starting at the 3rd month, and continued until the 6th month, but did not carry on upto the 12th month (p=0.01, p=0.01, p=0.02, respectively). Improvements in “General Health” and “Social Functioning” subscales at 6th month (p=0.04, p=0.01, respectively), and “Mental Health” at 3rd month (p=0.01) were obtained. Unfortunately, there was a deterioration in “Physical Functioning”, “Bodily Pain”, “General Health”, “Vitality” and “Social Functioning” subscales starting from the 6th month, with statistically significant variations between the 6th and the 12th months (p=0.02, p=0.02, p=0.01, p=0.02, p=0.01, respectively). In the control group, there was a significant deterioration in “Physical Functioning”, “Bodily Pain”, “General Health”, and “Social Functioning” subscales between baseline and the 12th month (p=0.02, p=0.04, p=0.02, p=0.03, respectively).

CXL may be a useful alternative method in symptomatic treatment of bullous keratopathy by temporarily improving the quality of life.