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[Increased rigidity of the cornea caused by intrastromal cross-linking]
1Augenklinik und Poliklinik, Universitätsklinikum Carl-Gustow-Carus, Technische Universität Dresden.
Purpose:
To increase the stability of the cornea by artificial cross-linking (radiation or chemical agents) and to investigate a future therapy for keratoconus.
Materials And Methods:
The epithelium of enucleated porcine eyes was removed. Ten eyes in each of eight test groups were treated with UV light (lambda = 254 nm), 0.5% riboflavin and UV light (365 nm), blue light (436 nm) and sunlight, and the chemical agents glutaraldehyde (1% and 0.1%, 10 min) and Karnovsky's solution (0.1%, 10 min). Strips of 5 mm in width and 9 mm in length were cut from each cornea and the stress-strain behaviour of the strips was measured. For comparison, eight groups of ten untreated corneas each were measured by the same method.
Results:
Compared to untreated corneas riboflavin and UV irradiation as well as glutaraldehyde and Karnovsky's solution treatment resulted in significantly increased stiffness of the cornea (p < 0.05).
Conclusions:
The biomechanical behaviour of the cornea can be altered by low-concentration glutaraldehyde, Karnovsky's solution, and by riboflavin and UV irradiation, which offers potential conservative treatment of keratoconus. To optimize this effect further investigation is necessary regarding the dose-effect relation and the in-vivo conditions.