Protection of Corneal Limbus from Riboflavin Prevents Epithelial Stem Cell Loss after Collagen Cross-Linking.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

To investigate whether the protection of corneal limbus from riboflavin exposure during collagen cross-linking (CXL) prevents limbal epithelial stem cell (LESC) loss.

Methods

Ten New Zealand white rabbits received an epithelium-off CXL using an accelerated protocol. Seven days before procedure, 5-bromo-2-deoxyuridine (BrdU) was intraperitoneally injected. During procedure, riboflavin was applied to the corneal surface within a 9 mm diameter retention ring in 5 rabbits, thereby preventing the limbus from riboflavin exposure. In other 5 rabbits, riboflavin was instilled every 2 min, allowing the spillover to the limbus. One day after UVA irradiation, corneas were subjected to histological and molecular assays.

Results

There were no differences in corneal thickne

SUBMITTER: Lee HK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6008863 | biostudies-literature | 2018

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature