Purpose To evaluate changes in corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), ratio of anterior and posterior corneal radii over the thinnest region of the cornea (ARC/PRC), and astigmatism after cross- linking (CXL) in keratoconus. Methods Subjective refraction and ARC/PRC (using Pentacam™) were monitored over 1 year in (I) keratoconus treated with routine CXL (n = 53), (II) relatively stable keratoconus (n = 23), and (III) age/gender matched controls (n = 24). Results CDVA (median, mode, interquartile range) improved significantly in group I, compared with groups II and III (p < 0.05), from 0.45 (0.60, 0.20–0.63) to 0.80 (0.95, 0.60–0.95) ; change in CDVA was associated with preop CDVA (p < 0.01 at all times postop). ARC/PRC (mean ± sd, 95% CI) changed from 1.362 (± 0.048, 1.347–1.377) to 1.425 (± 0.073, 1.401–1.449). CDVA and ARC/PRC remained stable in II and III. Significant relationships were revealed between logCDVA and ARC/PRC in I and II (at 12 months, I rs = − 0.464, II rs − 0.449) and logCDVA at postop(y), log CDVA at preop(x1), and ARC/PRC at preop(x2) in I (at 12 months, y = 0.356x1 − 1.312x2 + 1.806, r21 = 0.494, r22 = 0.203). Astigmatic power (mean ± sd, 95% CI) improved from − 3.10DC (± 1.52, − 3.55 to − 2.66) to − 2.53DC (± 1.24, − 2.90 to − 2.17) in I, and worsened from − 1.27DC (± 1.32, − 1.81 to − 0.73) to − 1.61DC (± 1.28, − 2.13 to − 1.09) in II. Vector analysis revealed in group I (a) the power of the surgically induced astigmatism (SIA) was linked to astigmatic power at preop and (b) the difference between the axis of astigmatism at preop(ø) and the axis of the SIA was linked to ø. Conclusion CXL improved CDVA, increased the ARC/PRC ratio, and modified the association between CDVA and ARC/PRC. The change in CDVA was linked to preop CDVA and ARC/PRC values. The association between SIA and preop astigmatism implies there is not a simple cause and effect relationship with CXL.