An application of a
riboflavin-loaded microneedle patch in the preparation of materials for treating
keratoconus is disclosed. This microneedle patch, shaped like a
contact lens, adheres comfortably to the
ocular surface, with its base conforming to the
conjunctiva and the microneedle array precisely oriented towards the
cornea. Within a short period of application, the microneedles puncture the
corneal epithelium and rapidly dissolve simultaneously, achieving efficient delivery of
riboflavin to the stroma. Meanwhile, the dissolved base forms a protective film on the
ocular surface. This microneedle patch enables safe and efficient delivery of
riboflavin across the ocular barrier, effectively avoiding various risks associated with epithelial removal in traditional corneal cross-linking procedures, preventing large-area epithelial defects, preserving
barrier integrity, and reducing the risk of
postoperative infection. Furthermore, this microneedle patch achieves precise enrichment of riboflavin within the corneal stroma, overcoming the concentration uncertainty caused by passive
diffusion after epithelial defects, which relies on traditional eye drops. This ensures that the riboflavin concentration in the stroma reaches the optimal photosensitization threshold, thereby maximizing cross-linking efficiency and demonstrating significant application potential in the
clinical treatment of
keratoconus.