Prior to the advent of riboflavin-UVA mediated corneal collagen cross-linking (CXL), no conservative treatment for keratoconus existed. CXL was introduced as a technique to stabilize the structurally weak corneas of patients with keratoconus and halt the progression of the disease. Over the past decade, this method has revolutionized the treatment of corneal ectatic disorders, including keratoconus and post-LASIK ectasia.

More recently, the clinical use of cross-linking procedures has expanded to include transepithelial treatments, modified riboflavin formulations, accelerated illumination protocols, and pulsed illumination. Additionally, a variety of indications for cross-linking beyond the treatment of ectasia have been identified, including treatment of nonectatic corneal disorders such as infectious keratitis.

We invite investigators to contribute original research articles as well as review articles that will stimulate the continuing efforts to understand the pathology of the underlying disorders in which CXL is utilized, the development of cross-linking protocols to treat these conditions, and the evaluation of the outcomes of these procedures.

We are particularly interested in articles describing the new modalities and measuring outcomes from treatment trials; advances in keratoconus detection and invivo diagnostics; new insights into the mechanism of cross-linking using animal models; current concepts in the treatment of keratoconus using various forms of cross-linking and including alternatives like corneal implants and grafting. Potential topics include, but are not limited to:

• Recent developments in keratoconus research including epidemiology
• History and mechanism of cross-linking
• Advances in genetics and in vivo diagnostics of keratoconus and corneas at risk-for-ectasia following LASIK
• Latest technologies for clinical evaluation and measuring outcomes of cross-linking
• Role of riboflavin and additives as well as oxygen in cross-linking
• Role of transepithelial cross-linking
• Role of high fluence cross-linking
• Role of cross-linking in infectious corneal disease
• Role of CXL in the treatment of corneal edema and bullous keratopathy
• Indication and contraindication criteria for cross-linking in children
• Recent advances in selective cross-linking for refractive correction

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