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Updated: May 8, 2026
Three Different Protocols of Corneal Collagen Crosslinking in Keratoconus: Conventional, Accelerated and Iontophoresis
Published on: November 12, 2015
Influence of corneal cross-linking for keratoconus on several objective parameters of dry eye
Suphi Taneri1, Saskia Oehler, George Asimellis
1Eye Department, St. Francis Hospital, Muenster, Germany. taneri@refraktives-zentrum.de
Purpose:
To evaluate the potential influence of corneal cross-linking (CXL) with ultraviolet-A light and riboflavin in keratoconic eyes on several objective parameters of dry eye syndrome.
Methods:
This prospective single center study included 30 consecutive eyes of 16 patients that underwent CXL with riboflavin and ultraviolet-A treatment (epithelial removal, 30 minutes soaking with riboflavin, 30 minutes of illumination with 365 nm, 3 mW/cm(2), 5 cm distance). Several dry eye syndrome parameters were evaluated preoperatively and 3 and 6 months after the procedure: intra-individual comparison of fluorescein and Rose bengal staining, height of tear film meniscus, and tear film break-up time.
Results:
Pathologic staining (more than 10 point-shaped areas or diffuse staining) with fluorescein was evident before CXL in 1 eye, 3 months after CXL in 1 eye, and 6 months after CXL in 1 eye. Rose bengal staining 3 and 6 months postoperatively was comparable to preoperative staining. Tear film height was reduced in 2 eyes before CXL and in 4 eyes 3 months postoperatively, and was normal in all eyes after 6 months. The number of eyes with reduced tear film break-up time was not significantly changed.
Conclusions:
CXL had no significant impact on several parameters of dry eye syndrome 3 and 6 months postoperatively.
