Advanced corneal cross-linking system with fluorescence dosimetry.

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Biomedical Engineering
• Corneal Science

Background:

• Corneal cross-linking (CXL) is a procedure to strengthen the cornea.
• Accurate measurement of riboflavin diffusion is crucial for effective CXL.
• Current methods may lack precision in quantifying riboflavin penetration and consumption.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe an advanced system combining corneal cross-linking with riboflavin and fluorescence dosimetry.
• To measure riboflavin diffusion in the cornea before and during UVA treatment.
• To enable real-time dosimetry for personalized CXL protocols.

Main Methods:

• Development of a corneal cross-linking system using a digital micromirror device (DMD).
• Measurement of riboflavin diffusion coefficients in porcine eyes using different formulations.
• Utilizing fluorescence dosimetry to monitor riboflavin levels during UVA exposure.

Main Results:

• Diffusion coefficients for riboflavin in corneal stroma were determined.
• Diffusion coefficients were measured for both stromal and transepithelial formulations.
• Riboflavin consumption during UVA treatment was successfully demonstrated.

Conclusions:

• A novel advanced corneal cross-linking system with fluorescence dosimetry has been developed.
• This system can significantly contribute to understanding CXL mechanisms.
• The dosimetry approach may allow for individualized UVA treatment based on biological differences.