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Eye Vis (Lond). 2015 Nov 29;2:19. doi: 10.1186/s40662-015-0030-6. eCollection 2015.  Collagen cross-linking: when and how? A review of the state of the art of the technique and new perspectives. - Mastropasqua L1.     Ophthalmology Department, Policlinico SS Annunziata, Center of Excellence and National High-Tech Center (CNAT) in Ophthalmology, University "G. d'Annunzio" of Chieti-Pescara, Via dei Vestini, 31 66100 Chieti, Italy.

Corneal ectasia is a progressive corneal thinning associated with alterations of stromal collagen matrix resulting in irregular protrusion of the cornea. Primary forms include keratoconus, pellucid marginal degeneration and keratoglobus, while secondary forms are mainly related to refractive surgery

Since the late 1990s corneal crosslinking (CXL) has been proposed as a new possibility to stop progression of keratoconus or secondary corneal ectasia, with the promising aim to prevent progressive visual loss due to the evolution of the pathology and to delay or avoid invasive surgical procedures such as corneal transplantation. The possibility of strengthening corneal tissue by means of a photochemical reaction of corneal collagen by the combined action of Riboflavin and ultraviolet A irradiation (UVA), radically modified the conservative management of progressive corneal ectasia. This is a review of the state of the art of CXL, reporting basic and clinical evidence. The paper describes basic principles, advantages and limits of different CXL techniques and possible future evolution of the procedure..

PMID: 26665102