Search
Close this search box.

Farhad Hafezi Discusses Advancing CXL with OSN

Prof. Farhad Hafezi, MD, PhD, FARVO is the Medical Director at The ELZA Institute, was recently interviewed by Ocular Surgery News (OSN), where he spoke about advancing CXL technology for the treatment of corneal ectasias like keratoconus. The interview covered three main topics.

The sub400 protocol advancing CXL in thin corneas

Historically, cross-linking procedures were excluded from patients with corneas that were thinner than 400 µm, to leave a ~70 µm uncross-linked safety margin region at the cornea. However, as many patients with advanced disease had thinner corneas, many were left untreated. In 2007, Prof. Hafezi and his colleagues sought to address this problem and introduced hypo-osmolar riboflavin to swell these thin corneas to a thickness greater than 400 µm before cross-linking with UV irradiation commenced. More recently, the team has developed the sub400 protocol, which involves customizing UV irradiation duration to each patient’s corneal thickness measurement. Prof. Hafezi told OSN that this “modifies the duration of UV irradiation at 3 mW/cm² to achieve the desired depth needed to cross-link each patient’s cornea and leave a 70 µm safety margin.” The reason this is possible is thanks to earlier work where Prof Hafezi and his collaborators were able to model all of the components of the CXL photochemical reaction: riboflavin, corneal tissue, oxygen availability, and UV light intensity and duration.

Higher Fluence and Intensity

Ocular Surgery News was also told that his research group is also exploring ways of advancing CXL technology and treatments, principally by making them faster by using higher UV light intensities. Thanks to their modeling of the UV-riboflavin-cornea interactions, plus a clinical validation program, the team’s updated sub400 protocol now includes a distinctly higher fluence and 9 mW/cm² accelerated cross-linking intensity. This will allow for shorter customized sub400 protocol UV irradiation times for both doctors and patients.

Slit lamp CXL

In addition to their work on advancing CXL procedures, Prof. Hafezi told OSN that he and his team are exploring new avenues for the technology. For example, performing CXL procedures with the patient sitting upright at the slit lamp rather than lying down. To prove the validity of this approach, the team examined the depth of the demarcation line in 23 eyes that underwent cross-linking at the slit lamp and compared the results to the existing literature. Prof. Hafezi explained to OSN that the results showed “no difference in the depth of cross-linking effect.” This is an important finding that supports the concept that CXL at the slit lamp (in an office-based setting) is as effective as CXL performed in a laying position (typically in an operating theater).

Conclusion

Prof. Hafezi told OSN that through their work, they aim to improve the quality of care that patients receive and make CXL procedures faster and more convenient adding “We are always looking for ways to make our procedures better and more effective, and to provide the highest level of care to our patients.

 

Farhad Hafezi Discusses-Advancing CXL with OSN

The ELZA Institute

Search
Close this search box.
EN | DE | PT
.
.
Augeninstitut ELZA
4.8
Based on 109 reviews
powered by Google
mike
mike
09:02 04 Jan 23
Overall as a 50 year old, who wanted to continue to avoid wearing glasses and/or contact lenses, my goal was 100%... achieved with ELZA and Dr. Hafezi. I greatly appreciated the overall approach by Dr. Hafezi and his friendly and competent team in reviewing my vision at the start and following a comprehensive eye exam- the explanations of my options. For me I chose PRK in one eye for a monovision solution to correct short sightedness which was becoming more prevalent in night driving and sports such as skiing and cycling. PRK heals slowly but the outcome is worth the wait- and the cost- you use your eyes every waking moment- and for me I cannot see any reason not to pursue better vision with the ELZA team! A great quality of life enhancement!read more
Zuzana Fecko
Zuzana Fecko
21:48 31 Oct 22
Thank you so much, Dr. Torres and prof. Hafezi. 26 years I was only “dreaming” about the eye surgery due to possible... complications. I was worried ..Thank you for encouraging me to make a decision and thank you for your professionalism, explanations and great work!I wish you all the best, lots of success and only happy patients!read more
Serena Fazio
Serena Fazio
11:15 06 Mar 22
I have been to the ELZA clinic to have surgery for my miopy, as my eyes were rejecting the contacts and I was tired of... wearing glasses. From the first preliminary visit, to the actual surgery and post-surgery care Dr. Hafezi and all his collaborators have been extremely professional, considerate and helpful. All the steps of the (very short!) surgery were thoroughly explained to me in order to be as calm as possible, together with the medication plan and precautions to be aware of so that my eyes could heal in the best way possible. By following their exact instructions, the healing process has been very successful and smooth, and after about one week I was able to see perfectly. I absolutely recommend this team and their expertise!read more
Robin A
Robin A
11:43 16 Feb 22
Top experts and professional team. Highly recommended
Thunder Shiviah
Thunder Shiviah
14:05 23 Nov 21
After some research on local options I decided to go with ELZA since it stood out as the best. The operation and the... post-operation recovery went extremely smooth (something I was worried about with PRK). Now my vision is much better than I had hoped and I have no side effects such as dry eye or night vision problems. Thank you!read more
Thomas S.
Thomas S.
09:37 07 Jul 21
My left eye had to be operated on because of a cataract. As I had an Artiflex lens implanted a few years ago, it had to... be removed first before a modern lens could be implanted to correct the cataract. Prof. Hafezi treated me in an very competent and friendly manner. I am very happy with the result.read more
Selma A. Rahim
Selma A. Rahim
19:45 02 Jul 21
Dr. Hafezi.. the KING OF CXL🤴
Gianluca Ricci
Gianluca Ricci
12:46 10 Apr 21
Great team and service!
rehaneyecare
rehaneyecare
05:36 08 Apr 21
Excellent surgeon
Steven H.A
Steven H.A
16:13 11 Jan 21
Prof. F. Hafezi s expertise is enormous and he has a very pleasant and calm nature which gives the patient... security.Thank youread more
Online Commande
Online Commande
09:19 05 Dec 20
Totally creepy, very arrogant Prof.He just want your money.It may explain, why this Prof. is not in the center of the... city of Zürich and why he has been thrown away from University of Geneva.read more
Elena Churilova
Elena Churilova
10:06 17 Nov 20
At the moment, 3 months have passed since the moment I made laser vision correction in this clinic. and I can say that... I am happy that I chose this particular clinic and Prof. F. Hafezi. The entire staff of the clinic is very friendly, treats patients with sympathy and patience if they are nervous before surgery (my big gratitude to Aida Alili for all support and patience). The doctor Hafezi and other doctors of the clinic are very professional and ready to explain to you as many times as you need. I can only recommend!read more
Michele Aggiato
Michele Aggiato
18:17 10 Jan 20
The day I had Prof Hafezi checking my keratoconus I knew I was finally in the right place after years of searching for... a good ophthalmologist. Prof Hafezi recommended a surgery due to a drastic degeneration of my cornea. The surgery was performed by himself with the assistance of Dr Rodriguez, one more collaborator of Prof Hafezi’s team who got my full trust.read more
Ashley Faulkes
Ashley Faulkes
15:30 21 Mar 16
Professor Hafezi and the team at the ELZA Institute have done an amazing job of creating a first class eye clinic, with... cutting edge technology and support. I went there for a dry eye issue and other issues with my prescription, and they were easily able to help me and put me on the road to better vision! High recommend them to anyone in the Zurich/Aargau area.read more
More reviews
js_loader
Augeninstitut ELZA
4.8
Based on 109 reviews
powered by Google
js_loader