Abstract
Purpose :
To determine the efficacy of interface bonding with corneal crosslinking (CXL) after laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) ex vivo using rose bengal/green light and riboflavin/UV light.
Methods :
A LASIK-flap (90 µm) was created in ex vivo rabbit eyes using a femtosecond laser. After the dissection, CXL was performed to seal the interface. In one group, interface CXL was performed using rose bengal and green-light whereas in another group CXL was performed using riboflavin and UV light. In both groups the irradiance, radiant exposure, dye concentration and imbibition time were varied to identify parameters producing strongest adhesion. In a control group only LASIK was performed. After the bonding and in the control corneas, the maximal shear force required to separate the flap from the stroma was measured.
Results :
Parameters for rose bengal/green light bonding that produced a 2.2-fold increase in sheer force compared to untreated control eyes (p<0.01) were: irradiance = 180 mW/cm2, time = 14 minutes, total radiant exposure =150 J/cm2, rose bengal concentration = 0.1% and imbibition time = 2 minutes. Riboflavin/UV light parameters were 0.5% riboflavin for 2 minutes with a radiant exposure of 8.1 J/cm2 using an irradiance of 30 mW/cm2 for 4.5 minutes. These parameters produced a 2.1-fold increase compared to untreated control eyes (p<0.01).
Conclusions :
Based on these ex vivo results, interface bonding during LASIK with crosslinking uisng either rose bengal or riboflavin increases the adhesion between flap and stromal bed. In vivo trials are needed to evaluate the effects of interfacial bonding over time.
This is an abstract that was submitted for the 2017 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Baltimore, MD, May 7-11, 2017.