Could vitamin B2 and sunlight replace costly eye surgery?
NCT ID NCT03095235
First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study tested whether taking vitamin B2 (riboflavin) and getting natural sunlight could strengthen the cornea in people with keratoconus, a condition that causes the cornea to thin and bulge. The approach aimed to be a simpler, cheaper alternative to the standard cross-linking procedure. The study planned to enroll 30 participants but was terminated early, so results are limited.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- dietary riboflavin (vitamin B2)
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could provide a simple, low-cost way to stabilize the cornea in keratoconus patients, reducing the need for expensive procedures.
- What could go wrong
- This was a very small, early study that was terminated, so results are limited. It is not yet proven to be as effective as the standard cross-linking procedure.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
University of South Florida Department of Ophthalmology
Tampa, Florida, 33612, United States
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
- Can a simple eyeglass test sharpen vision in keratoconus?
- Can a donor corneal lenticule patch up a thinning cornea?
- A piece of your own cornea might patch a thinning one — a trial puts it to the test
- Can a simple eye treatment stop the need for a corneal transplant?
- Eye insert could ease allergy symptoms for contact lens wearers
- Promising new eye treatment could halt vision loss from keratoconus