Application of corneal collagen cross-linking in post-LASIK ectasia

Abstract

Corneal collagen cross-linking (CXL) is mainly used to treat the corneal ectasia diseases like keratoconus and post-laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) ectasia. This paper aims to review the causes, risk factors and treatment of post-LASIK ectasia, and the principle and clinical application of CXL in the treatment of post-LASIK ectasia.It is suggested that CXL alone or combined with other surgical methods could used to treat post-LASIK ectasia, which might preserve vision, arrest the progression of the ectatic conditions and prevent or delay the future need for keratoplast. In addition, the prophylactic use of CXL during LASIK in patients with high risk factors can effectively prevent postoperative refractive regression and corneal ectasia after LASIK in the short term, but the long-term effect needs further confirmation. (Int Rev Ophthalmol, 2019, 43: 37-41) Key words: corneal collagen crosslinking; LASIK; ectasia; iatrogenic keratectasia