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Chapter-03 Transepithelial Cross-linking for the Treatment of Keratoconus: Concepts

BOOK TITLE: Keratoconus Surgery and Cross-linking

Author
1. Pinelli Roberto
ISBN
9788184486506
DOI
10.5005/jp/books/10434_3
Edition
1/e
Publishing Year
2009
Pages
6
Author Affiliations
1. Istituto Laser Microchirurgia, Oculare Crystal Palace, Via Cefalonia, 70, 25124, Brescia, Italy, Istituto Laser Microchirurgia Oculare Crystal Palace, Via Cefalonia 70 25124, Brescia, Italy, European School for Advanced Studies in Ophthalmology (ESASO), Universitá della Svizzera Italiana, Lugano, Switzerland, Microchirurgia Oculare, Crystal Palace, Suite, Via Cefalonia, 70 25124 Brescia - Italy, Istituto Laser Microchirurgia Oculare, Crystal Palace, Via Cefalonia, 70, Brescia, Italy, Istituto Laser Microchirurgia Oculare, Crystal Palace, Via Cefalonia, Brescia, Italy, www.ilmo.it, Istituto Laser Microchirurgia Oculare, Crystal Palace, Via Cefalonia, Brescia, Italy, Instituto Laser Microchirurgia Oculare, Crystal Palace, Via Cefalonia, Brescia, Italy, Istituto Laser Microchirurgia Oculare, Crystal Palace, Via Cefalonia, 70, 25124, Brescia, Italy, Scientific Director of the Instituto Laser Microchirurgia Oculare, Crystal Palace, Suite Via Cefalonia, 70 25124 Brescia, Italy, Crystal Palace Via Cefalonia, 70 251
Chapter keywords

Abstract

Keratoconus is a cone-like ectasia of the cornea, which affects both eyes, that degenerates, with consequent central or paracentral thinning of the stroma and irregular astigmatism. The diffusion of Keratoconus in general population is quite high. The cause of Keratoconus is unknown, but it seems it is due to enzymatic changes in corneal epithelium. Because it is a degenerative process, at the beginning it is possible to correct myopia or regular astigmatism with glasses, but when the error is higher it is necessary to apply hard contact lenses. In all patient affected by Keratoconus there is a reduction of cross-links in the corneal collagen fibers. Collagen is a protein organized in fiber, which are involved in limiting the tissue deformation and in preventing mechanical brakes. There are different types of Cross-Linking to treat Keratoconus; one of them is Photochemical Cross-linking, which, with Riboflavin as a photo sensitizer, and applying on it UV irradiation at a determined wavelength, induces free radicals reactions and increase cross-links fibers. The goal of Transepithelial treatment is to obtain mechanical X-Linking of collagen fiber networks of the corneal stroma without side effects. The news is represented by the possibility of realizing cross-linking keeping the epithelium unaltered. This natural barrier protects the cornea but it is not an impermeable status: it is an osmotic membrane through which riboflavin can penetrate to the cornea.

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