The Fraser Eye Care Center Doctors have either authored or reviewed and approved this content.
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The experienced eye doctors and cornea specialists at Fraser Eye Care Center offer corneal cross-linking, also known as corneal collagen cross linking or CXL, as a treatment option for Detroit area patients. Corneal cross-linking is primarily used as a treatment for keratoconus, although it may be utilized to treat other less common corneal conditions, such as corneal ectasia.
Keratoconus is a condition of the eyes in which the clear tissue in front of the colored part of the eye, the cornea, bulges forward in a cone shape. This disease is progressive, meaning it worsens with time, generally leading to significant vision decrease and impairment if left untreated.
Corneal cross-linking is a minimally invasive procedure that was approved by the FDA in 2016 after extensive clinical studies. The goal of corneal cross-linking is to strengthen the cornea in order to stop or slow the progression of corneal degeneration of keratoconus. This is achieved by applying controlled doses of vitamin B2 (riboflavin) drops and ultraviolet light.
During the corneal cross-linking procedure, your eye doctor will prepare your eye with numbing eye drops and may also offer you a sedative medication. The first step in corneal cross-linking is to remove the epithelium, which is the thin outer layer on top of your cornea. The epithelium is removed using a dilute chemical solution, which allows the vitamin B2 (riboflavin) to absorb more effectively. Then the vitamin B2 (riboflavin) drops are applied to your eyes, after which you’ll stay reclined under an ultraviolet light for 30. The vitamin B2 (riboflavin) and UV light form bonds to rebuild the corneal collagen, which strengthens the cornea. The corneal cross-linking procedure is typically performed on one eye at a time, with separate procedures scheduled for each eye.
After the corneal cross-linking procedure, your eye doctor will place a special contact lens on the eye to act as a bandage. You should expect blurred vision for about 5 days after the procedure. Patients may also experience some discomfort, irritation, and light sensitivity in the week after the procedure. Your doctor will give you post-operative instructions and eye drops that can increase your comfort and prevent infections. Patients typically take a minimum of 3 days, and sometimes up to a week, off of work after the corneal cross-linking procedure. We typically recommend patients wait about 3 months after a corneal cross-linking procedure to be fit for new glasses or contact lens prescriptions.
Corneal cross-linking is quickly becoming a standard treatment for keratoconus. Clinical studies have observed an improvement in over 85% of patients and found that 94% of patients achieved clinical stabilization after an epithelium-off CXL cross-linking procedure.1,2
1 Taiwan Journal of Ophthalmology 2017 Oct-Dec; 7(4): 185–190. doi: 10.4103/tjo.tjo_38_17
2 American Journal of Ophthalmology Volume 149, Issue 4, April 2010, Pages 585-593
Typically, patients who are ideal candidates are those who have been diagnosed with keratoconus. Corneal cross-linking is usually recommended for patients who have mild to moderate corneal keratoconus, as the procedure is designed to stop the progression of corneal degeneration.
If you have been diagnosed with keratoconus, it is important to talk to an experienced cornea specialist about your treatment options as soon as possible. The eye doctors at Fraser Eye are proud to help Detroit area patients improve their vision and maintain their eye health. Contact us with any questions or to schedule an appointment in Fraser, Warren, or Port Huron, Michigan.
The Fraser Eye Care Center Doctors have either authored or reviewed and approved this content.
