title: Corneal collagen cross-linking. A review of its clinical applications.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To perform a literature review of the current clinical applications of corneal collagen cross-linking.
  
  
  METHODS
  An exhaustive literature search was made, including the main biomedical databases, and encompassing all years since the introduction of cross-linking in ophthalmology practice.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Corneal collagen cross-linking using UVA irradiation and riboflavin is a surgical technique that is currently being optimised, and is supported by a good amount of pre-clinical and clinical studies. These papers found show the beneficial effect of the surgery on preventing the progression of corneal ectasia, especially keratoconus, but also on pellucid marginal degeneration and keratectasia after refractive surgery. The effect of cross-linking on avoiding the occurrence of iatrogenic keratectasia when combined with a photo-ablative procedure is less clear to date. Additionally, it appears that cross-linking may have a considerable beneficial effect on controlling corneal infection caused by fungi, bacteria and amoebae. However, its effect on viral keratitis can be detrimental. The benefit on bullous keratopathy seems to be rather transient.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Corneal collagen cross-linking may be used with relative safety and efficacy in patients with progressive keratoconus. Its use could also be considered in patients with other corneal ectasias or with corneal infections of non-viral origin. Currently, there is still a need for more studies as regards its effect on preventing iatrogenic keratectasia.
authors.affiliation: Instituto Universitario de Oftalmobiología Aplicada (IOBA), Universidad de Valladolid (UVa), Valladolid, España.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Balparda
authors.affiliation: Instituto Universitario de Oftalmobiología Aplicada (IOBA), Universidad de Valladolid (UVa), Valladolid, España. Electronic address: maldonado@ioba.med.uva.es.
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Maldonado
mesh_terms: D003094:Collagen; D003316:Corneal Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents; D006801:Humans; D013508:Ophthalmologic Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents; D003094:Collagen
keywords: Collagen; Colágeno; Cornea; Córnea; Ectasia; Keratoconus; Queratocono; Trastornos de la visión; Vision disorders