Corneal reshaping

Corneal reshaping is a therapeutic process used to correct refractive errors by altering the curvature and refractive power of the cornea [1]. It is not a discrete molecular target, receptor, or enzyme, but rather a clinical outcome achieved through mechanical, surgical, or pharmacological means. In orthokeratology, specialized rigid gas-permeable contact lenses are worn overnight to temporarily redistribute corneal epithelial cells, thereby flattening the central cornea to treat myopia [2]. Pharmacological intervention in this space includes the use of riboflavin (Vitamin B2) as a photosensitizer to induce collagen cross-linking, which increases the biomechanical stability of the corneal stroma in progressive diseases like keratoconus [3]. Experimental therapies have also explored the use of enzymatic agents, such as hyaluronidase, to transiently soften the corneal extracellular matrix for non-surgical refractive correction [4]. [1] Mayo Clinic: 'Refractive surgery'. [2] American Academy of Ophthalmology: 'Orthokeratology (Ortho-k)'. [3] StatPearls: 'Corneal Collagen Cross-linking'. [4] Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science (IOVS): 'Enzymatic softening of the cornea'.

Other names

OrthokeratologyOrtho-KCorneal Refractive TherapyCorneal MoldingRefractive Reshaping

Mechanical redistribution of corneal epithelial cells or biochemical modification/cross-linking of stromal collagen fibers.