Corneal Cross-Linking

Corneal cross-linking is a procedure that uses ultraviolet light, and eye drops to treat keratoconus.

The cornea contains collagen fibers that can become weak, and corneal cross-linking is a way to shorten and thicken those fibers.

Talk to an ophthalmologist at New Vision Ophthalmology if you believe you may benefit from corneal cross-linking.

What Is Corneal Cross-Linking Used For?

Corneal cross-linking is used to treat a condition known as keratoconus. Keratoconus occurs when the cornea, the transparent, dome-shaped front surface of your eye, gradually thins and forms into a cone shape that bulges outward.

Vision is distorted when a cornea develops into a cone shape, making a person more sensitive to glare and light. Although keratoconus typically affects both eyes, one eye is often more affected than the other.

About The Corneal Cross-Linking Procedure

The FDA recently approved corneal cross-linking as a treatment for keratoconus. Cross-linking is a chemical reaction that joins two substances. In corneal cross-linking, this chemical reaction bonds the collagen fibers together in the cornea, creating a more robust connection that helps to stop the unwanted bulging of the cornea.

Corneal cross-linking can be performed by an ophthalmologist in the doctor’s office. The process of corneal cross-linking is straightforward:

• The doctor numbs your eye with a numbing solution
• Riboflavin (vitamin B2) eye drops are administered into the eye
• You sit back and look upward at a special UV light that will be shone directly into your corneas
• The recovery time needed after corneal cross-linking is roughly one week following the procedure; however, it can take one to two months for the cornea to heal completely.

The eye drops contain a chemical that is good for photo enhancement and allows for cross-linking. New corneal collagen cross-links form due to the procedure, and collagen fibers shorten and thicken to strengthen and thicken the cornea.

Am I A Candidate For Corneal Cross-Linking?

Corneal cross-linking cannot reverse the damage already done to eyesight due to keratoconus. However, if you do have keratoconus, corneal cross-linking can slow down the progression of this condition and keep your sight manageable for a more extended period.

If you have been diagnosed with keratoconus, having corneal cross-linking done as soon as possible could be very helpful. Contact your ophthalmologist at New Vision Ophthalmology to find out if corneal cross-linking is something that you should consider.