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EW FEATURE
September 2016 • Corneal collagen crosslinking
protocols on many organisms, with
the exception of certain bacterial
species, suggesting that it may be
more anti-inflammatory or collagen
stabilizing than sterilizing," Dr. Tu
said.
Treatment approaches
The treatment regimens for infec-
tious keratitis are typically a vari-
ant of epithelial-off CXL since the
treated ulcers have lost the epithelial
surface as a result of damage from
the infectious organism, Dr. Lee
said. In published reports, surgeons
have used the Dresden protocol of
CXL; however, anecdotal reports of
epithelial-on techniques have been
discussed as well.
"In cases of epithelial loss
from infectious keratitis, epithelial
removal is not needed, and these
cases may be done with loading of
the riboflavin followed by ultraviolet
light exposure," Dr. Lee said.
Post-RK benefits
Several published reports have
found benefits from CXL in address-
ing post-radial keratectomy (RK)
vision fluctuation, but analyses of its
ability to reduce astigmatism were
inconclusive, Dr. Lee said.
William Trattler, MD, Center
for Excellence in Eye Care, Miami,
highlighted research by Shamik
Bafna, MD, who found in a series of
patients that crosslinking stabilizes
EyeWorld Monthly Pulse
EyeWorld Monthly Pulse is a reader survey on trends and patterns for the practicing ophthalmologist. Each month we send an online survey covering different topics so our readers can
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Poll size: 166
continued on page 90
Dr. Hersh performs corneal collagen crosslinking.
Source: Peter Hersh, MD
