The original cross-linking procedure (often referred to as the ‘Dresden protocol’) involved anaesthetising the eye (for example with proxymetacainhydrochloride 0.5% drops), removing the central 8-10 mm of the epithelium and applying a riboflavin solution (0.1% riboflavin-5-phosphate and 20% dextran T-500) to the corneal surface 30 minutes before irradiation and at 5 minutes intervals during the course of a 30 minute exposure to 370 nm UVA with an irradiance of 3 mWcm-2 ….Read more
In order to overcome the problems of postoperative discomfort, potential for delayed epithelial healing, infection, stromal haze, and corneal melting sometimes associated with the standard cross-linking procedure, researchers are investigating modifications to the procedure that will allow the same stiffening effect to occur in the corneal stroma without the need for epithelial removal….Read more
With the aim of reducing treatment time and increasing the throughput of patients, investigators are now considering the use of higher illumination intensities in the CXL procedure….Read more
MODIFIED PROTOCOL FOR THE TREATMENT OF THIN CORNEAS
In order to overcome the contra-indication of treating corneas with a thickness bordering on 400μm, pachymetry-guided epithelial debridement was developed – a treatment modification in which the epithelium is only removed from regions of the cornea with a thickness in excess of 400μm….Read more