Systems and methods for cross-linking treatments of an eye

A method for treating an eye, comprising:

• determining an area at a surface of a cornea for delivery of a cross-linking agent;
• disrupting tissue at the area at the surface of the cornea with a disruption element for partial epithelial disruption, including disrupting apical layers of superficial squamous cells of the cornea, wherein the disrupting the tissue at the area at the surface of the cornea includes disrupting the cornea up to a depth of no greater than approximately 25 μm;
• applying a cross-linking agent to the area at the surface of the cornea;
• and
• delivering photoactivating light to the cornea, the photoactivating light activating the cross-linking agent to generate cross-linking activity in the cornea.

A method for treating an eye, comprising:

• disrupting tissue an area at a surface of a cornea with a disruption element, including disrupting apical layers of superficial squamous cells of the cornea, wherein the disrupting the tissue at the area at the surface of the cornea includes disrupting the cornea up to a depth of no greater than approximately 25 μm;
• applying a cross-linking agent to the area at the surface of the cornea, the cross-linking agent being transmitted through a disrupted area at a greater rate relative to non-disrupted areas of the cornea;
• and
• delivering photoactivating light to the cornea, the photoactivating light activating the cross-linking agent to generate cross-linking activity in the cornea.