PapersFlow Research Brief
Corneal surgery and disorders
Research Guide
What is Corneal surgery and disorders?
Corneal surgery and disorders is a medical field studying the biomechanical properties of the cornea, focusing on conditions like keratoconus and treatments such as collagen crosslinking, corneal transplantation, intraocular pressure measurement, riboflavin-ultraviolet-A treatment, and refractive surgery techniques.
This field encompasses 77,973 papers on corneal biomechanics, keratoconus, collagen crosslinking, corneal transplantation, endothelial keratoplasty, intraocular pressure, riboflavin-ultraviolet-A treatment, corneal thickness, and refractive surgery. "Riboflavin/ultraviolet-a–induced collagen crosslinking for the treatment of keratoconus" by Wollensak et al. (2003) introduced a method to strengthen corneal tissue in keratoconus patients. "Keratoconus" by Rabinowitz (1998) provides a foundational review of the disorder's characteristics and management.
Topic Hierarchy
Research Sub-Topics
Keratoconus
This sub-topic investigates the progressive corneal thinning disorder, its epidemiology, genetics, and progression models. Researchers study diagnostic imaging and risk factors for early intervention.
Collagen Crosslinking
Research focuses on riboflavin-UVA induced corneal stiffening to halt keratoconus progression, including protocols, efficacy trials, and complications. It evaluates long-term biomechanical outcomes.
Corneal Transplantation
This area covers penetrating keratoplasty and lamellar techniques like DMEK/DSAEK, addressing graft survival, rejection mechanisms, and surgical innovations. Studies optimize donor matching and postoperative care.
Corneal Biomechanics
Investigations use tools like Ocular Response Analyzer to measure hysteresis, elasticity, and stress-strain responses in healthy and diseased corneas. Researchers model postoperative changes in refractive surgery.
Refractive Surgery
This sub-topic examines LASIK, PRK, and SMILE effects on corneal structure, ectasia risks, and wavefront aberrations. Studies compare techniques for higher-order aberrations and patient outcomes.
Why It Matters
Corneal surgery and disorders address vision-threatening conditions like keratoconus, where the cornea thins and bulges, leading to distorted vision. Wollensak et al. (2003) in "Riboflavin/ultraviolet-a–induced collagen crosslinking for the treatment of keratoconus" demonstrated that riboflavin/ultraviolet-A treatment halts keratoconus progression by inducing collagen crosslinking, preserving vision and reducing the need for corneal transplants. Rabinowitz (1998) in "Keratoconus" outlined diagnostic criteria and surgical options like transplantation, impacting treatments for millions affected by corneal weakening. These advances support refractive surgery by maintaining corneal biomechanics and intraocular pressure measurement accuracy, as explored in the field's 77,973 papers.
Reading Guide
Where to Start
"Keratoconus" by Rabinowitz (1998) provides an accessible overview of the disorder's pathology, diagnosis, and management options, serving as an ideal starting point for understanding core concepts in corneal disorders.
Key Papers Explained
Rabinowitz (1998) in "Keratoconus" establishes the foundational pathology, which Wollensak et al. (2003) in "Riboflavin/ultraviolet-a–induced collagen crosslinking for the treatment of keratoconus" addresses with a targeted treatment to halt progression by enhancing biomechanics. This builds toward considerations in transplantation and refractive surgery within the broader corneal biomechanics focus. Quigley (2006) in "The number of people with glaucoma worldwide in 2010 and 2020" contextualizes related pressure dynamics, though primarily glaucoma-oriented.
Paper Timeline
Most-cited paper highlighted in red. Papers ordered chronologically.
Advanced Directions
Research centers on refining riboflavin-ultraviolet-A protocols and endothelial keratoplasty outcomes, building on crosslinking's stabilization effects from Wollensak et al. (2003). No recent preprints available, so frontiers emphasize biomechanical modeling for personalized refractive surgery and transplantation rejection prevention.
Papers at a Glance
| # | Paper | Year | Venue | Citations | Open Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The number of people with glaucoma worldwide in 2010 and 2020 | 2006 | British Journal of Oph... | 7.3K | ✓ |
| 2 | Highly stretchable and tough hydrogels | 2012 | Nature | 5.1K | ✓ |
| 3 | Global Prevalence of Myopia and High Myopia and Temporal Trend... | 2016 | Ophthalmology | 5.0K | ✓ |
| 4 | The Ocular Hypertension Treatment Study | 2002 | Archives of Ophthalmology | 3.6K | ✓ |
| 5 | Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science | 2010 | — | 3.4K | ✕ |
| 6 | Reduction of Intraocular Pressure and Glaucoma Progression | 2002 | Archives of Ophthalmology | 3.2K | ✕ |
| 7 | Number of people with glaucoma worldwide. | 1996 | British Journal of Oph... | 3.0K | ✓ |
| 8 | Riboflavin/ultraviolet-a–induced collagen crosslinking for the... | 2003 | American Journal of Op... | 2.9K | ✕ |
| 9 | The advanced glaucoma intervention study (AGIS): 7. the relati... | 2000 | American Journal of Op... | 2.8K | ✕ |
| 10 | Keratoconus | 1998 | Survey of Ophthalmology | 2.7K | ✕ |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is keratoconus?
Keratoconus is a disorder where the cornea thins and assumes a conical shape, distorting vision. Rabinowitz (1998) in "Keratoconus" describes its progressive nature and genetic factors. Early detection enables interventions like collagen crosslinking.
How does riboflavin/ultraviolet-A collagen crosslinking treat keratoconus?
Riboflavin/ultraviolet-A crosslinking strengthens corneal collagen by creating bonds that increase rigidity. Wollensak et al. (2003) in "Riboflavin/ultraviolet-a–induced collagen crosslinking for the treatment of keratoconus" showed it stabilizes the cornea and halts progression. The procedure involves applying riboflavin and UV-A light to the cornea.
What role does corneal biomechanics play in surgery?
Corneal biomechanics determine tissue strength and response to procedures like transplantation and refractive surgery. The field examines properties affected by conditions such as keratoconus. Treatments like crosslinking aim to restore normal biomechanics.
What is corneal transplantation?
Corneal transplantation replaces diseased corneal tissue with donor cornea to restore clarity and shape. It is used in advanced keratoconus cases post-crosslinking failure. Endothelial keratoplasty targets specific corneal layers.
How is intraocular pressure measured in corneal disorders?
Intraocular pressure measurement accounts for corneal thickness alterations in disorders like keratoconus. Devices like the Ocular Response Analyzer assess corneal biomechanics during readings. Accurate measurement prevents misdiagnosis of glaucoma.
What are current treatments for corneal disorders?
Treatments include collagen crosslinking, corneal transplantation, and refractive surgery adjustments. Wollensak et al. (2003) validated crosslinking for keratoconus. Rabinowitz (1998) covers transplantation as a standard for severe cases.
Open Research Questions
- ? How can collagen crosslinking be optimized to better preserve corneal thickness and biomechanics in early keratoconus?
- ? What are the long-term effects of riboflavin-ultraviolet-A treatment on endothelial cell health post-crosslinking?
- ? How do variations in corneal biomechanics influence intraocular pressure readings across diverse patient populations?
- ? Which factors predict progression from early refractive surgery changes to full keratoconus?
- ? What improvements in endothelial keratoplasty techniques can reduce rejection rates in corneal transplantation?
Recent Trends
The field maintains 77,973 works with steady focus on corneal biomechanics and keratoconus treatments, anchored by highly cited papers like "Riboflavin/ultraviolet-a–induced collagen crosslinking for the treatment of keratoconus" by Wollensak et al. (2003, 2881 citations) and "Keratoconus" by Rabinowitz (1998, 2676 citations).
No recent preprints or news in the last 6-12 months indicate ongoing reliance on established crosslinking and transplantation methods.
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