Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42073501›Full record

ArticleLife (Basel, Switzerland)2026

Postoperative Pain and Functional Limitations After Corneal Cross-Linking for Keratoconus: A Patient-Reported Outcome Study.

Ruta Jaruseviciene, Gintare Kirkickaite, Saulius Galgauskas

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Life (Basel, Switzerland), 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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0citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

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3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

3 authors.

Ruta JarusevicieneInstitute of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University, M. K. Ciurlionio Str. 21, LT-03101 Vilnius, Lithuania.
Gintare KirkickaiteInstitute of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University, M. K. Ciurlionio Str. 21, LT-03101 Vilnius, Lithuania.ORCID 0009-0000-8527-7196
Saulius GalgauskasInstitute of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University, M. K. Ciurlionio Str. 21, LT-03101 Vilnius, Lithuania.ORCID 0000-0002-0935-840X

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundKeratoconus is a progressive corneal condition that leads to visual impairment and is primarily managed with corneal cross-linking (CXL), a procedure designed to halt its progression. However, while the clinical outcomes of CXL are well-documented, its impact on patient well-being, including postoperative pain and recovery, remains underexplored. This study aimed to evaluate postoperative pain, functional limitations, visual recovery, and patient-reported outcomes following corneal cross-linking (CXL) for keratoconus.

methodsA structured survey was conducted among 31 patients who underwent CXL for keratoconus. The survey assessed postoperative pain using a Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) and collected information on visual recovery, functional limitations, and the socioeconomic effects of the procedure. Clinical data, including best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and keratometry, were also recorded before and after CXL to evaluate the procedure's efficacy.

resultsThe study found that postoperative pain was moderate, with a mean pain score of 6.06 ± 1.82, typically lasting 1-3 days. Nearly 54.8% of patients reported significant disruption to daily activities, including missing work or studies, and 77.4% experienced some degree of functional limitation. A statistically significant correlation was observed between postoperative pain intensity and quality-of-life impairment (Spearman's ρ = 0.503,

conclusionsCorneal cross-linking is associated with favorable clinical outcomes; however, the early postoperative period is characterized by moderate pain and functional limitations, highlighting the importance of patient-centered care.

Indexed as

corneal cross-linkingfunctional limitationskeratoconuspatient-reported outcomespostoperative painquality of life

Identifiers

PMID42073501
PMCPMC13117727

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