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Corneal Cross-linking

What is Keratoconus?

Keratoconus, often referred to as ‘KC’, is a non-inflammatory eye condition in which the typically round dome-shaped cornea progressively thins and weakens, causing the development of a cone-like bulge and optical irregularity of the cornea. This can result in significant visual impairment.

Symptoms

Keratoconus typically first appears in individuals who are in their late teens or early twenties and may progress for 10-20 years, and then slow or stabilize. Each eye may be affected differently. In the early stages of keratoconus, people might experience:

• Slight blurring of vision
• Distortion of vision
• Increased sensitivity to light

The cornea is responsible for focusing most of the light that comes into the eye. Therefore, abnormalities of the cornea, such as keratoconus, can have a major impact on how an individual sees the world, making simple tasks such as driving a car or reading a book very difficult.¹

Keratoconus:

• Can result in significant vision loss; and
• May lead to corneal transplant in severe cases

You can find more information from the National Keratoconus Foundation at www.NKCF.org

What is Corneal Cross-Linking?

Cross-linking is a minimally invasive outpatient procedure that combines the use of UVA light and riboflavin eye drops to add stiffness to corneas which have been weakened by disease or refractive surgery. Cross-linking, which has been performed in Europe since 2003, is considered the standard of care around the world for keratoconus and corneal ectasia following refractive surgery².

Corneal Cross-Linking³

• Creates new corneal collagen cross-links
• Results in a shortening and thickening of the collagen fibrils
• Leads to the stiffening of the cornea

Less Cross-Linking (Weaker)                           More Cross-Linking (Stronger)

Riboflavin

Riboflavin (vitamin B2) is important for body growth and red blood cell production and assists in releasing energy from carbohydrates. Its food sources include dairy products, eggs, green leafy vegetables, lean meats, legumes, and nuts. Bread and cereals are often fortified with riboflavin. 

Under the conditions used for corneal collagen cross-linking, riboflavin 5’-phosphate, vitamin B2, functions as a photo enhancer which enables the cross-linking reaction to occur.

Ultra-Violet A (UVA)

UVA is one of the three types of invisible light rays given off by the sun (together with ultra-violet B and ultra-violet C) and is the weakest of the three. 

A cool UV light source is used to treat the cornea after it has been soaked in the photoenhancing riboflavin solution. This cross-linking process stiffens the cornea by increasing the number of molecular bonds, or cross-links, in the collagen. 

Is Cross-Linking Right for Me?

Patients over the age of 14 who have been diagnosed with progressive keratoconus or corneal ectasia following refractive surgery should ask their doctor about corneal cross-linking.

Our practice is proud to offer state-of-the-art corneal crosslinking for our patients with keratoconus, who, until recently, had no therapeutic options available to treat this sight-threatening disease. This approval offers an effective treatment for patients who, until recently, had no therapeutic options to limit the progression of this sight-threatening disease.