Riboflavin and ultraviolet A collagen crosslinking: in vivo thermographic analysis of the corneal surface.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the possible thermal damage to the cornea during combined riboflavin and ultraviolet-A crosslinking using in vivo surface thermographic analysis.


METHODS
Department of Oto-Neuro-Ophthalmological Surgical Sciences, Eye Clinic, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.


METHODS
Collagen crosslinking was performed on a day-surgery basis under aseptic conditions with traditional techniques. During the procedure, temperature measurements on the corneal surface were taken using an infrared thermocamera. The temperature values were detected in the area directly exposed to light irradiation, selecting it in the acquired thermographic image. Because the aim of the study was to consider the thermal damage that may be induced during the procedure, the maximum temperature value detected in the area studied was recorded and considered for successive analysis.


RESULTS
Infrared thermocamera measurements of the corneal surface during crosslinking treatment showed that the temperature was constant during the entire procedure and remains under the threshold of thermal injury to corneal collagen.


CONCLUSIONS
Corneal collagen crosslinking was a safe procedure that did not cause thermal injury to the corneal surface.
Mencucci
Rita
R
Department of Oto-Neuro-Ophthalmological Surgical Sciences, Eye Clinic, University of Florence, Viale G B Morgagni 85, 50134 Florence, Italy. rita.mencucci@unifi.it
Mazzotta
Cosimo
C
Rossi
Francesca
F
Ponchietti
Claudia
C
Pini
Roberto
R
Baiocchi
Stefano
S
Caporossi
Aldo
A
Menchini
Ugo
U
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001831:Body Temperature; D003094:Collagen / Q000378:metabolism*; D003315:Cornea / Q000502:physiology* / Q000528:radiation effects; D005126:Eye Burns / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007640:Keratoconus / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D010778:Photochemotherapy; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012256:Riboflavin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013817:Thermography; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays
D017319:Photosensitizing Agents; D003094:Collagen; D012256:Riboflavin