title: UV-A Collagen Cross-Linking Treatment of Bullous Keratopathy Combined With Corneal Ulcer.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the therapeutic effect of corneal cross-linking (CXL) in 2 cases of bullous keratopathy combined with corneal ulcer.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two patients (2 eyes) were recruited for the sake of the study. Both suffered from bullous keratopathy and presented a gradually deteriorating, vision-threatening, central corneal ulcer, despite intense local antibiotic therapy. The same surgical procedure was performed in both eyes. De-epithelialization of the affected corneas was accompanied by UV-A cross-linking and finally by the application of a therapeutic contact lens. Local antibiotic therapy was resumed after the procedure.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Within 24 hours of the treatment, both patients reported significant subjective improvement of their visual acuity and ocular discomfort. Clinical evaluation revealed improvement of the corneal ulcer and the bullous keratopathy associated with significant decrease of the corneal thickness and haziness. During the 2-month follow-up period, a significant improvement of visual acuity was recorded in both cases.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  CXL should be considered as a potential adjuvant therapeutic tool in patients with combined bullous keratopathy and infectious keratitis, who are resistant to traditional topical therapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Alexandroupolis, Greece. vkozompo@med.duth.gr
authors.forename: Vassilios
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Kozobolis
authors.forename: Georgios
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Labiris
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gkika
authors.forename: Harris
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sideroudi
authors.forename: Eleni
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kaloghianni
authors.forename: Dorris
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Papadopoulou
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Toufexis
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001768:Blister / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D003094:Collagen / Q000378:metabolism*; D003319:Corneal Stroma / Q000378:metabolism*; D003320:Corneal Ulcer / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D004108:Dilatation, Pathologic / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010778:Photochemotherapy; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012256:Riboflavin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D017319:Photosensitizing Agents; D003094:Collagen; D012256:Riboflavin