Pretreatment to Promote Graft Survival After Subsequent High-risk Corneal Transplantation [CrossCornealVision]

"Riboflavin isotonic, 0,1 % Vitamin B2, with Dextran 20,0%, for epi-off procedure or Riboflavin isotonic 0,1% (Vitamin B2), 1,1% HPMC without Dextran for epi-off) 0.1% riboflavin-5-phosphate and 20% dextran T-500) will be applied to the cornea after epithelial debridement every 2 min for 10 minutes before irradiation and every 2 minutes during the course of a 10 minute exposure to 365 nm UV-A with an irradiance rate of 9 mW/cm2. This dose, mode and scheme of the intervention follows the internationally recognized accelerated CXL protocol (Elbaz et al. 2014). The data existing shows equivalent outcome regarding efficacy and safety compared to the standard protocol. To avoid any damage to the limbal stem cells, the limbus will not be irradiated during the procedure, as a CXL device (with maximal diameter of 11 mm) will be used. Furthermore, the limbal area will additionally be protected by a custom-cut LSC protection shield. (Protocol V04\_0 Page 45-46)"