Novel Technique of Transepithelial Corneal Cross-Linking Using Iontophoresis in Progressive Keratoconus

In this work,the authors presented the techniques and the preliminary results at 6 months of a randomized controlled trial (nct02117999) comparing a novel transepithelial corneal cross-linking protocol using iontophoresis with the dresden protocol for the treatment of progressive keratoconus. at 6 months,there was a significant average improvement with an average flattening of the maximum simulated keratometry reading of 0.72 � 1.20 d (p = 0.01); in addition,corrected distance visual acuity improved significantly (p = 0.08) and spherical equivalent refraction was significantly less myopic (p = 0.02) 6 months after transepithelial corneal cross-linking with iontophoresis. the novel protocol using iontophoresis showed comparable results with standard corneal cross-linking to halt progression of keratoconus during 6-month follow-up. investigation of the long-term rct outcomes are ongoing to verify the efficacy of this transepithelial corneal cross-linking protocol and to determine if it may be comparable with standard corneal cross-linking in the management of progressive keratoconus. � 2016 marco lombardo et al.