Spatial targeted delivery of riboflavin with a controlled corneal iontophoresis delivery system in theranostic‐guided UV‐A light photo‐therapy

• Published in: Journal of biophotonics Vol. 17; no. 7; pp. e202400068 - n/a
• Main Authors: Lombardo, Marco, Serrao, Sebastiano, Bernava, Giuseppe Massimo, Lombardo, Giuseppe
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Weinheim WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA 01.07.2024; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
• Subjects: Coefficient of variation; Cornea; Cornea - drug effects; Cornea - metabolism; Cornea - radiation effects; corneal cross‐linking; corneal iontophoresis; Drug Delivery Systems; Elevation; Humans; Iontophoresis; Irradiation; Light; Light irradiation; Riboflavin; Theranostic Nanomedicine; theranostics; Topography; Ultraviolet radiation; Ultraviolet Rays; Ultraviolet Therapy; theranostics; corneal iontophoresis; corneal cross‐linking; riboflavin
• ISSN: 1864-063X; 1864-0648; 1864-0648
• DOI: 10.1002/jbio.202400068

Seven human donor eye globes underwent corneal cross‐linking using theranostic UV‐A device with accessory corneal iontophoresis system for patterned delivery of a 0.22% riboflavin solution. Theranostic‐guided UV‐A light illumination assessed riboflavin distribution and treated corneas at 10 mW/cm2 for 9 min with a 5.0‐mm beam size. Corneal topography maps were taken at baseline and 2‐h post‐treatment. Analysis utilized corneal topography elevation data, with results showing controlled riboflavin delivery led to a consistent gradient, with 40% higher levels centrally (248 ± 79 μg/cm3) than peripherally (180 ± 72 μg/cm3 at ±2.5 mm from the center). Theranostic‐guided UV‐A light irradiation resulted in significant changes in corneal topography, with a decrease in best‐fit sphere value (−0.7 ± 0.2 D; p < 0.001) and consistent downward shift in corneal elevation map (−11.7 ± 3.7 μm). The coefficient of variation was 2.5%, indicating high procedure performance in achieving significant and reliable corneal flattening. Theranostic‐guided UV‐A light photo‐therapy in conjunction with a controlled corneal iontophoresis system enables precise spatial patterned delivery of riboflavin in the targeted corneal region of interest, resulting in a predictable tissue shape change. This innovative approach provides valuable insight into potential application for theranostic UV‐A light photo‐therapy in corneal reshaping procedures.