Methods for stabilizing corneal tissue
Methods of stabilizing collagen fibrils in a cornea are disclosed. The stabilization may be effected by treating the cornea with a protein that crosslinks collagen fibrils, such as decorin. The stablization methods include treatment of corneas before, during, or after a surgical procedure, treatment of keratectasia, and treatment of keratoconus.
1 . A method of stabilizing collagen fibrils in a cornea of a refractive surgical patient, comprising administering a composition comprising a protein that crosslinks collagen fibrils and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier to the eye of the patient during the refractive surgical procedure.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the protein is decorin.
3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the refractive surgical procedure is laser in-situ keratomileusis (LASIK).
4 . The method of claim 3 , wherein the protein is applied directly to the stromal bed while the surgical flap is lifted.
5 . The method of claim 4 , wherein the protein is decorin.
6 . The method of claim 3 , wherein the protein is applied to the back of the surgical flap while the flap is lifted.
7 . The method of claim 6 , wherein the protein is decorin.
8 . The method of claim 3 , wherein the protein is applied to the stromal bed and to the back of the surgical flap while the surgical flap is lifted.
9 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the protein is decorin.
10 . A method of stabilizing collagen fibrils in a cornea of a refractive surgical patient, comprising administering a composition comprising a protein that crosslinks collagen fibrils and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier to the eye of a patient who is scheduled to undergo a refractive surgical procedure.
11 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the protein is decorin.
12 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the refractive surgical procedure is laser in-situ keratomileusis (LASIK).
13 . A method of stabilizing collagen fibrils in a cornea of a refractive surgical patient, comprising administering a composition comprising a protein that crosslinks collagen fibrils and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier to the eye of a patient who has undergone a refractive surgical procedure.
14 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the protein is decorin.
15 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the refractive surgical procedure is laser in-situ keratomileusis (LASIK).
16 . A method of treating keratectasia, comprising administering to the eye of a patient who has keratectasia a composition comprising a protein that crosslinks collagen fibrils and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
17 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the protein is decorin.
18 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the keratectasia develops following a refractive surgical procedure that is laser in-situ keratomileusis (LASIK).
19 . A method of treating keratoconus, comprising administering to the eye of a patient who has keratoconus a composition comprising a protein that crosslinks collagen fibrils and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
20 . The method of claim 19 , wherein the protein is decorin.