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Collagen Crosslinking for Keratoconus - a Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

Collagen Crosslinking for Keratoconus - a Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

Status
Active, not recruiting
Phases
Phase 3
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT01604135
Acronym
CXL-RCT
Enrollment
36
Registered
2012-05-23
Start date
2012-05-01
Completion date
2027-04-01
Last updated
2026-05-11

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Keratoconus

Keywords

Collagen crosslinking, Keratoconus

Brief summary

The purpose of this study is to determine whether corneal collagen crosslinking is effective in the treatment of progressive keratoconus.

Detailed description

Keratoconus is a noninflammatory, asymmetrical, progressive corneal ectasia caused by biomechanical instability of the corneal stroma. Treatment modalities are primarily glasses or contact lenses. It has been estimated that one out of five patients will progress to such an extent that a corneal transplant is necessary to regain useful vision. Corneal collagen crosslinking (CXL) is a treatment modality that intends to halt progression of keratoconus. This study investigates the efficacy av CXL in stabilizing the cornea in keratoconus by means of a randomized controlled clinical trial. Participants are eligible for inclusion if progressive keratoconus is confirmed and the inclusion criteria are met. Follow-up after inclusion is at 1 week (treatment group), 1, 3, 6 and 12 months. Pre- and post-inclusion examinations include measurement of uncorrected distance visual acuity (UCDVA), best spectacle corrected distance visual acuity (BSCDVA), Scheimpflug-topography and slitlamp examination.

Interventions

Keratoconic corneas that show significant progression as specified in the inclusion criteria section will receive one single treatment with CXL if randomized to the treatment arm. A treatment protocol based on 30 minutes dropping with riboflavin/dextran solution and 10 minutes UV-illumination treatment will be used.

Sponsors

Sahlgrenska University Hospital
Lead SponsorOTHER
Göteborg University
CollaboratorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 30 Years
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Keratoconus diagnosis determined clinically and topographically (KISA%- index) * Significant progression is defined as change (increase) of Kmax by at least 1D from baseline at 6 months and/or change (increase) of Sim-K-ast by at least 1D from baseline at 6 months. Kmax is defined as the steepest radius of curvature (either the maximum simulated K-reading or the maximum K-reading in the 3-mm zone or the 5-mm zone) of the anterior corneal surface that progressed the most during 6 months observation * Ability to stop contact lens (rigid and soft) wear at least two weeks prior to next exam * Signed written informed consent

Exclusion criteria

* Age \< 18 years * Pregnancy * Breast feeding * History of corneal surgery * History of ocular herpes simplex infection * Minimal corneal thickness \< 300 micrometers * Recurrent corneal erosions * Other corneal (e g endothelial) or conjunktival diseases * Neurodermatitis * Severe forms av atopic disease * Collagenoses, autoimmune or other systemic disease * Systemic treatment with high doses of steroids * Severe scarring och striae of the cornea Relative

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Kmax12 monthsKmax is defined as the steepest radius of curvature of the anterior corneal surface. It is measured by Scheimpflug-topography (Pentacam, Oculus Inc.). An increase of less than 1 diopter (D) from baseline at 12 months is defined as non-progression.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Sim-K-astigmatism12 monthsSim-K-astigmatism (Sim-K-ast) is defined as the absolute amount of anterior corneal astigmatism related to the Sim-Ks as measured by Scheimpflug-topography (Pentacam, Oculus Inc.). An increase of less than 1 D from baseline at 12 months is defined as non progression.
MRSE12 monthsManifest Refractive Spherical Equivalent. The spherical equivalent is calculated by algebraic addition of the spherical power and half the cylindrical power of an eye. An eye with a specific spherical equivalent power has the closest overall effect to a given toric lens. A decrease of less than 0.5 D from baseline at 12 months is defined as non-progression.
UCDVA12 monthsUCDVA is defined as the uncorrected distance visual acuity measured with an Early Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS)-chart and expressed in numbers of letters. A decrease of less than 5 letters (one line) from baseline at 12 months is defined as stable BCDVA.
BSCDVA12 monthsBSCDVA is defined as the the best spectacle corrected distance visual acuity measured with an ETDRS-chart and expressed in numbers of letters. A decrease of less than 5 letters (one line) from baseline at 12 months is defined as stable BCDVA.

Countries

Sweden

Contacts

STUDY_CHAIRMadeleine Zetterberg, MD, PhD

Sahlgrenska University Hospital

STUDY_DIRECTORMargareta Claesson, MD, PhD

Sahlgrenska University Hospital

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: May 12, 2026