Introduction Cross-linking is a surgical intervention that strengthens the cornea and prevents further cornea ectasia, but it also alters corneal shape. After surgery and epithelial healing, many patients will need to be refit into contact lenses to restore vision. Case Report In this case, a patient with keratoconus and a history of recent corneal cross-linking wished to resume rigid corneal lens wear. After cross-linking, the patient’s cornea continued to remodel. Updated rigid corneal lens and piggyback rigid corneal fits continued to result in epithelial defects. Ultimately, the patient was refit into a scleral lens to avoid corneal sequelae and allow stable vision despite continued corneal alteration. Conclusion The timeline for contact lens wear after corneal cross-linking is not exact and may depend on the type of lens fit as well as the severity of ectasia. Despite epithelial healing, patients may not be able to wear the same modality lenses as prior.
Elaine Chen (Fri,) studied this question.