The term of "iontophoresis" is a combination of the word 'ion' and the ancient Greek word ϕερειν pherein, 'carry', and refers to a method with which medications are transported through the skin by means of slightly electrically charged ions. in this case, the active ingredient Riboflavin (vitamin B2) is transported through the corneal epithelium into the corneal stroma situated below it so it can be active in it. However, since the corneal epithelium prevents the active ingredient from penetrating it, it had to be scraped off prior to cross linking previously. This step which is painful for the patient is rendered superfluous by iontophoresis. Thus, iontophoresis cross linking is one of the procedures also referred to a transepithelial cross linking (TE-CXL).
After Riboflavin was administered by iontophoresis, the eye is radiated with UV light for approx. 10 minutes like in a standard cross linking procedure to activate the Riboflavin: It forms tissue bridges within the stroma stabilizing the tissue. First results with iCXL are very promising, as demonstrated by the one-year experience gained in a prospective study.