Comparative Effects of Riboflavin-UVA and Rose Bengal-Green Light Cross-Linking on Corneal Neovascularization
INVESTIGATIVE OPHTHALMOLOGY & VISUAL SCIENCE, cilt.67, sa.5, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Cilt numarası: 67 Sayı: 5
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Doi Numarası: 10.1167/iovs.67.5.16
- Dergi Adı: INVESTIGATIVE OPHTHALMOLOGY & VISUAL SCIENCE
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, BIOSIS, EMBASE, MEDLINE, Directory of Open Access Journals
- Gazi Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
PURPOSE. The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of riboflavin-ultraviolet A (RF/UVA) cross-linking (CXL) and rose bengal-green light (RB/green light) CXL on corneal neovascularization (CNV) in rat eyes.
METHODS. Forty Wistar albino rats underwent CNV induction by corneal suture place-ment and were randomized into four groups: control, RF/UVA CXL, RB/green light CXI., and green light alone. Treatments were administered on day 3. Anterior segment (AS) photographs and AS-optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) images were obtained on days 0, 3, 7, and 14, with days 7 and 14 defined as endpoints. Right corneas were analyzed using immunohistochemistry (IHC) for vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), lymphatic vessel endothelial hyaluronan receptor (LYVE-1), and CD68, along with hematoxylin & eosin (H&E) staining and TUNEL assay. Left corneas were evaluated with ELISA for VEGF and CD68 levels.
RESULTS. The least CNV area was observed in the RF/UVA group on days 7 and 14 CP = 0.002 and P < 0.001 respectively). The RB/green light CXI. group also demon-strated CNV area than the green light alone group on day 7 (P < 0.001) FLISA revealed significantly lower VEGF levels in all treatment groups compared with controls on day 7, whereas this reduction persisted only in the RF/UVA CXL group on day 14 GP < 0.001 and P = 0.049 respectively). VEGF and LYVE-1 immunostaining were significantly lower in the RF/UVA CX group compared with the green light group at both time points. CD68 staining was reduced in both CXL. groups. TUNEI. analysis showed the highest keratocyte apoptotic index in the RF/UVA CXL group, followed by the RB/green light CXI. group (both P < 0.001 ).
CONCLUSIONS. Both CXI. modalities suppressed inflammation and were effective in reduc-ing hemangiogenesis, and lymphangiogenesis; however, the RF/UVA CXL group demon-strated superior overall efficacy than the RB/green light CXL. group.