Corneal cross-linking-induced stromal demarcation line.

PURPOSE: Corneal collagen cross-linking by UVA/riboflavin (X-linking) represents a new method for the treatment of progressive keratoconus and currently is under clinical study. To avoid UVA irradiation damage to the corneal endothelium, the parameters for X-linking are set in a way that effective treatment occurs only in the first 300 microm of the corneal stroma. Here, X-linking not only strengthens the biomechanical properties of the cornea but also induces keratocyte apoptosis. To date, the effectiveness of treatment could be monitored only indirectly by postoperative follow-up corneal topographies or using corneal confocal microscopy. Here we describe a corneal stromal demarcation line indicating the transition zone between cross-linked anterior corneal stroma and untreated posterior corneal stroma. The demarcation line is biomicroscopically detectable in slit-lamp examination as early as 2 weeks after treatment.

METHODS: X-linking was performed in 16 cases of progressive keratoconus, and corneas were examined biomicroscopically and by means of corneal topography and pachymetry before and after treatment.

RESULTS: In 14 of 16 cases, a thin stromal demarcation line was visible at a depth of approximately 300 microm over the whole cornea after X-linking treatment.

CONCLUSION: This newly observed demarcation line may result from differences in the refractive index and/or reflection properties of untreated versus X-linked corneal stroma and represents an effective tool to biomicroscopically easily monitor the depth of effective X-linking treatment in keratoconus.