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Trans-epithelial corneal collagen cross-linking with iontophoresis for progressive keratoconus

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Abstract

Purpose

To evaluate the efficacy of trans-epithelial corneal collagen cross-linking (CXL) with Iontophoresis among patients with progressive keratoconus.

Methods

It is a prospective interventional study, which is based on 41 eyes of 23 patients, suffering from progressive keratoconus and treated with trans-epithelial corneal cross-linking, using iontophoresis with ETDA and trometamol-enriched riboflavin 5 phosphates 0.1% hypotonic solution (Ricrolin+, Soot Italia SpA, Italy).

Results

The mean of uncorrected distance visual acuity and best corrected distant visual acuity was improved at 6 months with statistically significant differences from baseline (p < 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in keratometric values, including K1, K2, Km, topographic astigmatism, and central corneal thickness. Patients, who had completed 1 year (21 eyes of 12 patients) of the treatment, showed similar results.

Conclusion

The data indicated that corneal collagens cross-linking with iontophoresis using Ricroli+ may be an effective method in halting the progression of keratoconus without the side effects of epithelial removal, which may be encountered in the standard epi-off CXL procedure.

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Acknowledgements

The authors are very thankful to all the associated personnel in any reference that contributed in/for the purpose of this research. This study was conducted at Al-Taif eye center, Amman, Jordan.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Ophthalmology Department, The University of Jordan, P.O Box 13046, Amman, 11942, Jordan

    Mohammed Ali Abu Ameerh & Muawyah Dawoud Al Bdour

  2. Al Taif Eye Center, Amman, Jordan

    Maha Al-Till & Muhannad Al Faouri

Authors
  1. Mohammed Ali Abu Ameerh
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  2. Muawyah Dawoud Al Bdour
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  3. Maha Al-Till
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  4. Muhannad Al Faouri
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Contributions

The authors have analyzed the effectiveness of trans-epithelial corneal collagen cross-linking with Iontophoresis for treating progressive keratoconus.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Mohammed Ali Abu Ameerh.

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Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Informed consent

All the patients signed an informed written consent, and the study adhered to the tenets of the Declaration of Helsinki.

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Ameerh, M.A.A., Bdour, M.D.A., Al-Till, M. et al. Trans-epithelial corneal collagen cross-linking with iontophoresis for progressive keratoconus. Int Ophthalmol 39, 1089–1095 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10792-018-0920-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10792-018-0920-4

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