Current and new indications for corneal cross-linking in the therapy of corneal diseases

Corneal collagen cross-linking, a technique used in ophthalmology, involves the creation of new bonds between collagen fibers, thus leading to stabilization and corneal stiffening. The most common indication for corneal collagen cross-linking procedures is to prevent the progression of corneal ectasia,\ i.e., keratoconus, pellucid marginal degeneration, and ectasia after corneal refractive surgery. Clinical data also indicate that it is effective in the treatment of bacterial corneal infections and bullous keratopathy. Corneal collagen cross-linking was shown to inhibit the progression of corneal ectasia, and the treatment commonly leads to the improvement in visual acuity, decreases the maximum keratometry values, and improves the corneal topography image. In addition, it is possible to avoid or postpone the need for more complex and invasive surgery.