Development of graphitic carbon nitride quantum dots-based oxygen self-sufficient platforms for enhanced corneal crosslinking

Abstract Keratoconus, a disorder characterized by corneal thinning and weakening, results in vision loss. Corneal crosslinking (CXL) can halt the progression of keratoconus. The development of accelerated corneal crosslinking (A-CXL) protocols to shorten the treatment time has been hampered by the rapid depletion of stromal oxygen when higher UVA intensities are used, resulting in a reduced cross-linking effect. It is therefore imperative to develop better methods to increase the oxygen concentration within the corneal stroma during the A-CXL process. Photocatalytic oxygen-generating nanomaterials are promising candidates to solve the hypoxia problem during A-CXL. Biocompatible graphitic carbon nitride (g-C 3 N 4 ) quantum dots (QDs)-based oxygen self-sufficient platforms including g-C 3 N 4 QDs and riboflavin/g-C 3 N 4 QDs composites (RF@g-C 3 N 4 QDs) have been developed in this study. Both display excellent photocatalytic oxygen generation ability, high reactive oxygen species (ROS) yield, and excellent biosafety. More importantly, the A-CXL effect of the g-C 3 N 4 QDs or RF@g-C 3 N 4 QDs composite on male New Zealand white rabbits is better than that of the riboflavin 5’-phosphate sodium (RF) A-CXL protocol under the same conditions, indicating excellent strengthening of the cornea after A-CXL treatments. These lead us to suggest the potential application of g-C 3 N 4 QDs in A-CXL for corneal ectasias and other corneal diseases.