Purpose: To determine the penetrability of riboflavin into the corneal stroma by iontophoresis and to compare the permeability effects of different solvents.Methods: Twenty rabbits were randomly divided into four groups: a group that received 0.1% riboflavin-balanced salt solution(BSS) by iontophoresis, a group that received 0.1%riboflavin-saline solution by iontophoresis, a group that received 0.1% riboflavin-distilled water solution by iontophoresis, and a control group that received classical riboflavin instillation after corneal de-epithelialization. The degree of yellowing of the de-epithelialized corneal stromal button from each rabbit was compared.Results: The yellow color scores for the corneal stromal buttons in the three iontophoresis groups were compared with those of control group. Iontophoretic delivery of a 0.1% riboflavin-distilled water solution yielded similar yellow changes in the corneal stromal button when compared with classical riboflavin instillation after de-epithelialization. However, the other two solvents did not sufficiently enhance the permeability of riboflavin.Conclusion: Riboflavin can effectively penetrate into the corneal stroma to saturation levels by iontophoresis. Using distilled water as the solvent can promote penetrability.
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