riboflavin + UVA light

Riboflavin + UVA light is a combination therapy consisting of topical riboflavin (vitamin B2) applied to the cornea and subsequent irradiation with ultraviolet A (UVA) light. The primary mechanism involves **photosensitized oxidation**: riboflavin absorbs UVA (typically 370 nm), generating free radicals that induce covalent crosslinks within and between collagen fibrils in the corneal stroma. This **collagen crosslinking** increases the biomechanical strength and stability of the cornea. The therapy was originally developed to treat progressive keratoconus but has been expanded to other corneal ectatic disorders (e.g., post-LASIK ectasia) and, experimentally, as an adjuvant for infectious keratitis, including resistant Acanthamoeba keratitis. It is also used in some corneal melting cases. The effect on pathogens is believed to be due to oxidative damage to nucleic acids caused by riboflavin-activated UVA[1][2][3].

Other names

riboflavin/UVAriboflavin/ultraviolet Ariboflavin/UVA crosslinkingCXL