title: The effect of collagen cross-linking procedure on the material of intracorneal ring segments.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the potential impact of corneal crosslinking treatment (365 nm ultraviolet (UV)A irradiation with riboflavin) on the material properties of Intracorneal Rings Segments (ICRS).
  
  
  METHODS
  Material properties were studied using FT-IR spectroscopy and UV-Vis spectroscopy. Rings were examined: (1) after installation of riboflavin solution, (2) after irradiation with UV-A light and (3) after instillation of riboflavin solution followed by instillation and coeval irradiation. The experiments followed the standard corneal cross-linking (CXL) protocol of corneal crosslinking treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After instillation of riboflavin solution, a permanent intense yellow staining of the samples was observed. UV-Vis spectroscopy confirmed that a certain amount of riboflavin solution was absorbed into the samples after CXL procedure. FT-IR spectroscopic analysis showed alterations in the spectra of ICRS mainly at the 2800-3200 cm(-1) spectral region [modification in band intensities of CH(2) (2925 cm(-1)) and CH(3) (2950 cm(-1))].
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results suggest crosslinking reaction in ICRS material. This should be taken into consideration prior to any CXL treatment of post ICRS-implanted cornea.
authors.affiliation: Eye Institute of Thrace, Democritus University , Alexandroupolis , Greece and.
authors.forename: Haris
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sideroudi
authors.forename: Georgios
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Labiris
authors.forename: Amaia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Soto-Beobide
authors.forename: Georgios
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Voyiatzis
authors.forename: Athanassios
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Chrissanthopoulos
authors.forename: Vassilios
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Kozobolis
mesh_terms: D003094:Collagen / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003315:Cornea / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004548:Elasticity; D006801:Humans; D007640:Keratoconus / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D007910:Lenses, Intraocular; D017550:Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared; D014792:Visual Acuity
chemical_list: D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents; D003094:Collagen
keywords: Corneal crosslinking; FT-IR spectroscopy; UV-visible spectroscopy; corneal ectatic diseases; intracorneal rings segments