CORNEAL CROSS-LINKING SAFE AND EFFECTIVE IN CHILDREN. BUT...

This study published in the Journal of Refractive Surgery asked the question if corneal cross linking (CXL) is safe and effective in children newly diagnosed with keratoconus.  The study concluded that the procedure is effective,...:

...However, significant maximal keratometry reduction observed up to 24 months after corneal cross-linking lost significance at 36 months.

CONCLUSIONS:

Cross-linking seems to be safe in children and adolescents. We propose that awaiting documentation of progression is not mandatory and corneal cross-linking in children and adolescents should be performed as soon as the diagnosis has been made. However, the effect of arrest of disease progression might not be as long-lasting as in adults and longer follow-up is needed to verify this trend.