Collagen cross-linking treatment increases adhesion in mock corneal grafts

Abstract Purpose We tested the hypothesis that collagen cross-linking (CXL) could be used to promote adhesion in mock corneal grafts. Methods Donated human corneal tissue underwent epithelial debridement and was cut into sections measuring 4 mm × 3 mm. Paired sections were sutured together with 10–0 vicryl, forming mock corneal grafts. Looped 6–0 sutures were placed at each end to facilitate tension measurement. Mock grafts underwent CXL before being cultured for 2 days in Eagle’s MEM culture medium. Control mock grafts did not undergo CXL treatment before culture. Tissue was obtained from 4 donors and a maximum of 2 controls and 2 treated grafts was obtained from each donor. Following the culture period, the 10–0 sutures were cut. The mock grafts were mounted on force transducers and were put under increasing tension until eventually the sections were pulled apart. Results The mean applied stress required to generate graft failure was calculated for all mock grafts ± standard error of the mean. In the control group 0.236 ± 0.09 mPa of applied stress was required to cause graft failure, in comparison to 0.691 ± 0.12 mPa in the treated group. A paired t -test showed this result to be significant, (p = 0.0087). Conclusion The results of our study are consistent with our hypothesis that CXL treatment could be used to promote early adhesion between separate sections of corneal tissue.