Expansion of indications for collagen cross-linking in corneal diseases
A clinical study was performed to estimate the efficacy of collagen cross-linking in 57 patients (57 eyes) with different corneal pathologies (keratoconus stage I–II, pellucid marginal degeneration, corneal opacities after adenoviral keratoconjunctivitis, keratitis and corneal ulcer, post-refractive surgery ectasia, endothelial-epithelial degeneration). Modern computerized diagnostic tools were used at the preliminary and follow-up examinations after surgery. Considerable positive shifts in the corneal pathological process dynamics were shown after the procedures which were carried out according to standard protocol with post-op use of the standard pharmacotherapy and bandage soft contact lenses. The analysis of the results confirms the high efficacy of cross-linking in corneal diseases. The total benefit of collagen cross-linking in the treatment of corneal diseases has not been fully investigated. It is possible that indications for use could be expanded with modifications of the standard procedure (looking for new parameters of the action and new phenomenological outcomes such as use of new photosensitizers). Because of the relative low cost of the specialized instruments and simple method, this treatment could be done in many for facilities