Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2021 Aug 1;47(8):1075-1080.
doi: 10.1097/j.jcrs.0000000000000620.

Infectious keratitis after corneal crosslinking: systematic review

Caroline E Murchison  1 , W Matthew Petroll, Danielle M Robertson
Affiliations

Infectious keratitis after corneal crosslinking: systematic review

Caroline E Murchison et al. J Cataract Refract Surg. .

Abstract

Corneal crosslinking is a U.S. Food and Drug Administration--approved therapy to stiffen the cornea and prevent progression of corneal ectasia in patients with keratoconus. The standard procedure involves removal of the corneal epithelium (epithelial-off) prior to treatment. Variations to the standard procedure include accelerated crosslinking and transepithelial procedures. This study reviewed what is known regarding the risk for infection after epithelial-off crosslinking, the spectrum of pathogens, and clinical outcomes. 26 publications were identified. All eyes were fit with a bandage contact lens postoperatively. Available data indicate that the overall frequency of infectious keratitis after epithelium-off crosslinking is low. Bacterial infections are the most common, with a mean time of presentation of 4.8 days postoperatively. The use of steroids and bandage contact lenses in the immediate postoperative period and/or a history of atopic or herpetic disease were associated with infection. These patients require intense postoperative care with prophylactic antiviral therapy when appropriate.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of interest: Nothing to disclose

References

    1. Wollensak G, Spoerl E, Seiler T: Riboflavin/ultraviolet-a-induced collagen crosslinking for the treatment of keratoconus. Am J Ophthalmol 2003, 135:620–7. - PubMed
    1. Raiskup-Wolf F, Hoyer A, Spoerl E, Pillunat LE: Collagen crosslinking with riboflavin and ultraviolet-A light in keratoconus: long-term results. J Cataract Refract Surg 2008, 34:796–801. - PubMed
    1. Wittig-Silva C, Whiting M, Lamoureux E, Lindsay RG, Sullivan LJ, Snibson GR: A randomized controlled trial of corneal collagen cross-linking in progressive keratoconus: preliminary results. J Refract Surg 2008, 24:S720–5. - PubMed
    1. Caporossi A, Mazzotta C, Baiocchi S, Caporossi T: Long-term results of riboflavin ultraviolet a corneal collagen cross-linking for keratoconus in Italy: the Siena eye cross study. Am J Ophthalmol 2010, 149:585–93. - PubMed
    1. Hashemi H, Seyedian MA, Miraftab M, Fotouhi A, Asgari S: Corneal collagen cross-linking with riboflavin and ultraviolet a irradiation for keratoconus: long-term results. Ophthalmology 2013, 120:1515–20. - PubMed

Publication types