Farhad Hafezi, ESCRS 2018 – The effect of temperature on corneal cross-linking
It has long been known that temperature can affect the cornea. In the second part of Dr Farhad Hafezi’s interview, he discusses corneal cross-linking and how this procedure can benefit from reducing the corneal temperature. Recent studies have found that oxygen is a regulator of cross-linking efficacy; reducing the corneal temperature results in increased oxygen diffusion and therefore may yield increased efficacy. Dr Hafezi explains the significance of these early results and highlights how important cross-linking has been in the treatment of corneal diseases. Looking ahead, Dr Hafezi hopes that further studies can confirm the effects of temperature on cross-linking.
Questions:
1. What role does temperature play in normal corneal physiology and what variations can it cause? (0:09)
2. Can corneal temperature be used as a factor for regulating the efficacy of corneal cross-linking procedures? (0:45)
3. How has corneal cross-linking changed the way that weak corneal integrity is treated in the clinic? (1:49)
4. What further studies on the influence of temperature on corneal function are planned? (2:28)
Speaker disclosure: Farhad Hafezi has no relevant conflicts of interest.
Filmed at the 36th Congress of the European Society of Cataract & Refractive Surgeons (ESCRS), Vienna, Austria, 22–26 September 2018