Research Projects

Keratoconus is a rare corneal disorder characterized by progressive thinning and steepening of the cornea, leading to visual loss. Current treatments include corneal collagen crosslinking (CXL) and corneal transplant, which are invasive and involve a lengthy procedure with riboflavin drops. Patients are vulnerable to post-surgical infections, corneal pain, permanent scars, endothelial damage, sterile infiltrates, and herpes reactivation. A new approach is proposed to use ocular patches as an alternative delivery system for riboflavin during the crosslinking procedure. The researchers plan to use 3D bioprinting to fabricate the polymeric patch for loading riboflavin, explore various biomaterials, and undergo thorough characterization. The developed patch will then undergo preclinical evaluation, ocular pharmacokinetics and safety in rabbits, and efficacy in a keratoconus animal model. The proposed riboflavin patch is expected to be an alternative for frequent riboflavin eye drops, enhancing patient compliance and reducing the frequency of riboflavin drops during treatment. This innovative approach could potentially improve patient compliance with keratoconus eye drops.