Efficacy and safety of refractive surgery combined with prophylactic collagen cross-linking for ametropia

Corneal refractive surgery is a safe and effective way to correct ametropia.Although the biomechanical stability of the cornea is reduced due to the change in corneal tissue integrity after surgery, the vast majority of postoperative corneal structures are safe.Patients with preoperative risk factors, such as high diopters, thin cornea, irregular corneal topography, high astigmatism, binocular asymmetry, allergic constitution, eye rubbing, etc., may experience postoperative refractive regression and corneal ectasia.Corneal collagen cross-linking can enhance the biomechanical properties of cornea and effectively prevent the occurrence and progression of corneal ectasia, keratoconus or other ectatic diseases.In recent years, many researchers at home and abroad have tried a new design of refractive surgery, that is, corneal refractive surgery with prophylactic corneal collagen cross-linking to improve the biomechanical stability of the cornea after refractive surgery, and then potentially prevent corneal ectasia and refractive regression.A number of studies have found that combined surgery has a good visual acuity and refractive prognosis, especially in patients at high risk for postoperative ectasia.This article reviews the efficacy, safety, predictability, stability, and complications of combined surgery.

Refractive errors; Corneal cross-linking; Refractive surgical procedures; Curative effect; Safety; Corneal ectasia; Corneal biomechanics