Collagen Fiber Diameter in the Rabbit Cornea After Collagen Crosslinking by Riboflavin/UVA

Abstract

Collagen crosslinking using riboflavin and UVA leads to a significant increase in corneal collagen diameter. This alteration is the morphologic correlate of the crosslinking process leading to an increase in biomechanical stability. The crosslinking effect is strongest in the anterior half of the stroma because of the rapid decrease in UVA irradiance across the corneal stroma as a result of riboflavin-enhanced UVA absorption.