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Graefe's Archive for Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology
Published in: Graefe's Archive for Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology 8/2018

01-08-2018 | Review Article

Current perspectives on corneal collagen crosslinking (CXL)

Authors: Sandeepani K. Subasinghe, Kelechi C. Ogbuehi, George J. Dias

Published in: Graefe's Archive for Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology | Issue 8/2018

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Abstract

Corneal collagen crosslinking has revolutionized the treatment of keratoconus and post-refractive corneal ectasia in the past decade. Corneal crosslinking with riboflavin and ultraviolet A is proposed to halt the progression of keratectasia. In the original “Conventional Dresden Protocol” (C-CXL), the epithelium is removed prior to the crosslinking process to facilitate better absorption of riboflavin into the corneal stroma. Studies analyzing its short- and long-term outcomes revealed that although there are inconsistencies as to the effectiveness of this technique, the advantages prevail over the disadvantages. Therefore, corneal crosslinking (CXL) is widely used in current practice to treat keratoconus. In an attempt to improve the visual and topographical outcomes of C-CXL and to minimize time-related discomfort and endothelial-related side effects, various modifications such as accelerated crosslinking and transepithelial crosslinking methods have been introduced. The comparison of outcomes of these modified techniques with C-CXL has also returned contradictory results. Hence, it is difficult to clearly identify an optimal procedure that can overcome issues associated with the CXL. This review provides an up-to-date analysis on clinical and laboratory findings of these popular crosslinking protocols used in the treatment of keratoconus. It is evident from this review that in general, these modified techniques have succeeded in minimizing the immediate complications of the C-CXL technique. However, there were contradictory viewpoints regarding their effectiveness when compared with the conventional technique. Therefore, these modified techniques need to be further investigated to arrive at an optimal treatment option for keratoconus.
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Metadata
Title
Current perspectives on corneal collagen crosslinking (CXL)
Authors
Sandeepani K. Subasinghe
Kelechi C. Ogbuehi
George J. Dias
Publication date
01-08-2018
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
Graefe's Archive for Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology / Issue 8/2018
Print ISSN: 0721-832X
Electronic ISSN: 1435-702X
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00417-018-3966-0

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