The method of corneal collagen cross-linking for keratoconus (review of literature)

The concept of crosslinking involves a complicated process of formation of chemical bonds between larger molecules that can change the structure of the material, make it stronger and more resistant to decay. Physical crosslinking with ultraviolet light is used in various fields of industry and medicine for increasing the strength of the material. Chemical crosslinking methods are used in stomatology to improve the quality of a luting agent, in cardiology — for processing and strengthening bioprosthesis, in neurosurgery — in the treatment of intervertebral discs, etc. The progression of cataract is an example of a natural crosslinking of lens proteins — hardening and the loss of transparency of lens under the influence of sunlight. Photochemical cross-linking of collagen fibers has found use in ophthalmology, which is caused by a biochemical effect of the release of singlet oxygen, promoting anaerobic type of photochemical reaction [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]. The founder of the UV cross-linking method is Gregor Wollen-