Specialists intrigued by new approaches to cross-linking thin corneas

Corneal cross-linking for keratoconus, first introduced by Theo Seiler, MD, PhD, in 1998, has become a well-established technique, with proven long-term safety and efficacy. The original Dresden protocol prescribed a corneal thickness of no less than 400 µm after epithelium removal to prevent possible irreversible damage to the endothelium by UV radiation. The possibility of cross-linking thinner corneas, which could potentially benefit from the treatment, became the next challenge, and several options have been proposed over the last 5 years. The ultimate answer has not yet been found, but ongoing research is producing promising results.Basically, all techniques for thin corneas have been trying to manipulate one or more of the parameters involved, namely corneal thickness, the photosensitizing agent and the UV energy, Farhad Hafezi, MD, PhD, OSN Europe Edition Board Member, said.