Posters

Microinvasive cross-linking of rabbit posterior eye pole sclera

Poster Details

First Author: A. Sianosyan RUSSIAN FEDERATION

Co Author(s):    E. Iomdina   E. Tarutta   V. Semchishen   S. Milash           

Abstract Details

Purpose:

To create a tool for scleral cross-linking (SXL) with ultraviolet-A radiation able to increase scleral tissue stiffness in the equator and the posterior pole of the eye by minimally invasive manipulations.

Setting:

1Moscow Helmholtz Research Institute of Eye Diseases 2 Institute on Laser and Information Technologies, Russian Academy of Sciences

Methods:

The tool includes a UV-LED source (370 nm, 3 mW/cm²) guided through optic fiber located in one of the two channels of a detachable tip. The other channel is used to deliver riboflavin to the scleral surface through a small conjunctival incision, sutured after SXL. It was performed in vivo on 8 rabbit eyes. Intact fellow eyes served as control. Scleral echodensity was measured with Voluson 730 Pro prior to, 2 days and 1 month after the procedure. The biomechanical characteristics of the sclera were measured after enucleation with Autograph (Shimadzu). Collagen cross-linking level was measured with Phoenix DSC20144 (Netzsch).

Results:

As a result of the procedure, scleral echodensity increased from 86.7 dB to 98 dB after 2 days, and to 103 dB after 1 month. The control group revealed no change in the corresponding values. Elasticity modulus (E) of the treated zone was 25.4 MPa after 2 days, In the control group, E was 16,7 MPa. 1 month after, the value showed no significant change. Collagen cross-linking level in the experimental group exceeded that of the control group by 15-18%

Conclusions:

The proposed tool for SXL ensures minimally invasive UV crosslinking of the equatorial and the posterior part of the sclera, and guarantees the increase of its biomechanical stability.

Financial Disclosure:

NONE