What Is Corneal Cross-Linking?
Corneal cross-linking is a treatment used to slow the progression of conditions that affect the cornea, such as keratoconus. This treatment reinforces the cornea’s collagen fibers and strengthens the layers of cornea to reduce the risk of various corneal conditions. While corneal cross-linking doesn’t cure keratoconus, it can slow its progression and delay the need for a corneal transplant and help prevent vision loss.
This procedure is often used as a treatment for:
- Keratoconus – the cornea begins to thin and bulges outward into a cone shape that can interfere with vision. Corneal cross-linking reinforces the fibers of the cornea to slow the progression of this condition.
- Corneal bulging (ecstasia) following LASIK surgery – when corneal tissue is removed during LASIK surgery, in rare cases the cornea doesn’t heal properly and becomes thin. Cross-linking collagen fibers can support the cornea and prevent further damage.
Corneal cross-linking is a minimally invasive procedure performed in an outpatient clinic. The patient is given riboflavin (B2) eye drops and ultraviolet light is directed into the cornea. The combination of the UV light and the drops encourages the cross-linking of fibers in the cornea. The procedure lasts about an hour.
After surgery, patients may experience the following:
- Blurry vision
- Sensitivity to light
- Changes in visual acuity
In most cases, these symptoms will go away one to three months following the procedure. Rarely, the procedure can result in complications, including:
- Delayed epithelial healing or irritation – this occurs because the epithelium, a layer of the cornea, is often removed during surgery
- Corneal scarring
- The appearance of white lines in the patient’s field of vision
- Eye inflammation
If patients experience any of these complications, it is essential to schedule an appointment with their eye doctor right away.
If you have been diagnosed with keratoconus or have a weakened cornea and would like to learn more about corneal cross-linking, schedule an eye exam with Opthalmology Doctor Name at Opthalmology Practice Name in LOCATION1 to learn whether corneal cross-linking is the right treatment for you.
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