title: Research progress in corneal cross-linking agents.
abstract: Corneal collagen cross-linking with UVA-riboflavin is currently the only method for preventing the progression of keratoconus from the pathological perspective. Topical application of a direct cross-linking agent is now attracting widespread attention in clinical settings. This article reviews the research progress in the application of indirect or direct cross-linking agents (e.g., riboflavin, glucose, ribose, glutaraldehyde, formaldehyde, glyceraldehyde, short chain aliphatic β-nitro alcohol, and genipin) in the treatment of corneal diseases and analyzes the cross-linking efficacy, toxicity, and merits and disadvantages of each cross-linking agent, providing clinical information for further studies.
authors.forename: Na
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Xiujun
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Peng
authors.forename: Zhengjun
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Fan
mesh_terms: D035843:Biomedical Research; D003094:Collagen; D003315:Cornea; D003316:Corneal Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D007640:Keratoconus / Q000517:prevention & control*
chemical_list: D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents; D003094:Collagen