Corneal collagen cross-linking with riboflavin and UVA irradiation in pellucid marginal degeneration.
OBJECTIVE
To report the results of corneal collagen cross-linking (CXL) with riboflavin and ultraviolet A irradiation in a patient affected by pellucid marginal degeneration (PMD).


METHODS
A 43-year-old man with bilateral PMD underwent CXL in the left eye. The treatment was performed in standard fashion with the exception of slightly inferior decentration of the 9 mm-diameter irradiated area preserving an untreated surface area 1 mm from the limbus.


RESULTS
Epithelial regrowth was complete after 4 days' use of a bandage soft contact lens. No side effects or damage to the limbal region were observed during re-epithelialization or during follow-up. Corrected distance visual acuity improved from 20/200 to 20/63 at 3 months and was stable through the 12-month interval. Keratometric astigmatism showed a 1.40-diopter (D) reduction and the power of ectasia apex decreased from 82.00 D to 78.00 D.


CONCLUSIONS
Corneal collagen CXL was a safe tool in the management of PMD, improving some parameters in advanced stages of the disease.
Department of Surgical Sciences, Eye Clinic, University of L'Aquila, Italy. lspadea@cc.univaq.it
Leopoldo
L
Spadea
D000328:Adult; D003094:Collagen / Q000378:metabolism*; D003317:Corneal Dystrophies, Hereditary / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D003319:Corneal Stroma / Q000378:metabolism*; D019781:Corneal Topography; 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
D017319:Photosensitizing Agents; D003094:Collagen; D012256:Riboflavin