Corneal cross-linking guards against infectious keratitis: an experimental model

BACKGROUND: PACK-CXL (photo-activated chromophore for keratitis–corneal cross-linking) is an alternative option in treatment of corneal infections. It inhibits corneal melting by increasing the stromal resistance, besides the microbicidal effect of photo-activated riboflavin. METHODS: Corneal infection with Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staph aureus bacteria was induced in 20 eyes of 10 rabbits after 6 weeks of corneal cross-linking in half of the eyes, while the other acted as control group. Clinical and corneal histopathological examination was done to evaluate the extent of inflammation, ulceration, organism penetration, and depth of corneal stromal affection. RESULTS: The control eyes developed severe inflammation compared to the cross-linked eyes. Corneal melting occurred in 6 eyes in the control versus none in cross-linked group. Histopathological examination showed that the inflammation was confined to the superficial part of the stroma with localization of the inflammation in the cross-linked eyes in contrast to the control eyes that showed deep infiltration. CONCLUSION: PACK-CXL provides infection localization through increasing the corneal rigidity and resistance to enzymatic digestion, even in the absence of the riboflavin microbicidal role. So, early PACK-CXL is worth to be considered in the IK treatment algorithm.