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A Randomized Clinical Trial of Ex Vivo Corneal Cross-Linking of Donor Keratoplasty Tissue for Keratoconus Used for Keratoplasty in Keratoconus Patients

NCT04584125 · Status: NOT_YET_RECRUITING · Phase: NA · Type: INTERVENTIONAL · Enrollment: 216

Last updated 2026-04-08

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

This randomized clinical trial will assess corneal astigmatism and visual outcomes in participants who have undergone corneal transplantation for keratoconus with ex vivo cross-linked donor corneal tissue versus participants who have undergone corneal transplantation for keratoconus with non-cross-linked donor corneas. Crosslinking is a procedure that stabilizes the biomechanical properties of the cornea; as a result, the cornea stiffens. It has been shown that this procedure stabilizes the cornea of patients with keratoconus or corneal ectasias. The FDA currently approves crosslinking for patients with progressive keratoconus and corneal ectasia following refractive surgery. Ex vivo crosslinking of donor corneal tissue for patients with keratoconus undergoing PK or DALK could stabilize the cornea and reduce the risk of high astigmatism and improve vision in patient with keratoconus.

Conditions

  • Keratoconus

Interventions

DRUG

Riboflavin 5'-phosphate in 20% dextran ophthalmic solution) 0.146% with UV light

A wavelength of 365 nm ultraviolet A light will be used to direct 5.4 J/cm2 using a beam diameter of 9.5mm to treat the de-epithelialized corneal surface of a donor cornea for 30 minutes. Every 2 minutes, the UV light will be used while another drop of riboflavin is applied on top of the donor cornea.

DRUG

Riboflavin 5'-phosphate in 20% dextran ophthalmic solution) 0.146% without UV light

The corneal tissue for the control arm will be treated the same as the crosslinked tissue except that it will not be exposed to ultraviolet light. The donor cornea will be placed on an artificial anterior chamber maintainer and the epithelium will be removed mechanically. Riboflavin solution (0.1% riboflavin and 20% dextran supplied in a sterile, single-dose container) will be applied to the cornea every 2 minutes for 30 minutes.

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • Joseph B. Ciolino, MD

    lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

  • Joseph B Ciolino · Massachusetts Eye and Ear

Study Design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE
Model
PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age
18 Years
Max Age
50 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2027-01-01
Primary Completion
2028-05-01
Completion
2028-11-30

Countries

  • United States

Study Locations

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Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT04584125 on ClinicalTrials.gov