OBJECTIVE

To assess the impact of eye drops containing high molecular weight hyaluronic acid (HMW-HA) and low molecular weight hyaluronic acid (LMW-HA) on corneal nerve regeneration, dendritic cell (DC) density, corneal sensitivity (CS) and ocular surface parameters in patients with keratoconus following corneal crosslinking (CXL).

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

63 eyes of 55 patients with keratoconus were randomised to receive eye drops containing HMW-HA (n: 20) for 12 months, LMW-HA (n: 23) for 12 months and polyvinyl alcohol (n: 20) until closure of the epithelial defect in the control group after CXL. Subbasal nerve plexus (SNP) was imaged with corneal confocal microscopy and quantified with ACCMetrics. DC density was calculated with Image J. Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) questionnaire and non-invasive break-up time (NI-TBUT) were evaluated. All measurements were performed before CXL and 1, 3, 6 and 12 months postsurgery.

RESULTS

At 6 months post-CXL, SNP reached to its preoperative. CS was higher in the HMW-HA groups compared with the other two groups in the 3rd and 6th month post-CXL. DC density was higher in the LMW-HA group compared with the HMW-HA group in the postoperative 3rd month. OSDI were higher in the control group compared with both the LMW-HA and HMW-HA groups at postoperative 3rd and 6th months. NI-TBUT was lower in the control group in the 6th and 12th months compared with the other groups.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of artificial tear drops containing HMW-HA may have a therapeutic effect to promote corneal nerve regrowth and support faster functional recovery after CXL.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

NCT06243991.