Iontophoresis in Transepithelial Corneal CXL

Friday, April 25, 2014
KIOSKS (Boston Convention and Exhibition Center)
Giovanna Gabbriellini, MD, AOUP Cisanello Pisa, Pisa, Italy
Francesca Fanucci, MD, AOUP Cisanello Pisa, Pisa, Italy
Luca Martini, MD, Università di Pisa, Pisa, Italy
Marco Nardi, MD, Aoup Pisa Cisanello, Lucca, Italy

Narrative Responses:

Purpose
Iontophoresisuses electrical current to enhance penetration of riboflavin into the cornea during corneal collagen cross-linking. It is a new therapeutic approach to progressive keratoconus. The purpose of our study is to assess the effectiveness of this new methodafter 6 months.

Methods
Transepithelial corneal collagen cross-linking by iontophoresis was executed in a series of 6 eyes from 6 patients, with progressive keratoconus. Refractive, topographic, tomographic, anatomical and aberrometric outcomes were analyzed at 1 day, 1 month, 3 months and 6 months after the treatment

Results
Statistically significant data was observed in all parameters studied. Keratoconus stability was noted in all patients.

Conclusion
Iontophoresis in transepithelial collagen cross-linkingis performed with an intact  epithelium and offers the advantages of transepithelial technique. The treatment time is reduced from 1 hour to 14 minutes, without reducing the safety and efficacy of the treatment (no haze, no pain, no decrease of visual acuity after surgery, no infection).