Riboflavin and ultraviolet A collagen crosslinking: In vivo thermographic analysis of the corneal surface

PURPOSE: To assess the possible thermal damage to the cornea during combined riboflavin and ultraviolet-A crosslinking using in vivo surface thermographic analysis. SETTING: Department of Oto-Neuro-Ophthalmological Surgical Sciences, Eye Clinic, University of Florence, Florence, Italy. METHODS: Collagen crosslinking was performed on a day-surgery basis under aseptic conditions with traditional techniques. During the procedure, temperature measurements on the corneal surface were taken using an infrared thermocamera. The temperature values were detected in the area directly exposed to light irradiation, selecting it in the acquired thermographic image. Because the aim of the study was to consider the thermal damage that may be induced during the procedure, the maximum temperature value detected in the area studied was recorded and considered for successive analysis. RESULTS: Infrared thermocamera measurements of the corneal surface during crosslinking treatment showed that the temperature was constant during the entire procedure and remains under the threshold of thermal injury to corneal collagen. CONCLUSION: Corneal collagen crosslinking was a safe procedure that did not cause thermal injury to the corneal surface.