What Is Corneal Collagen Cross-Linking?
Corneal collagen cross-linking, known as CXL, is a surgical procedure that strengthens the cornea by using ultraviolet light and eye drops to cross-link collagen fibers. Collagen is an important protein that helps hold the shape of the cornea in place. Without it, the cornea starts to form a cone-like shape, causing keratoconus.
Why Is Corneal Collagen Cross-Linking Used?
This surgical procedure serves to prevent the deterioration of the cornea. Hence this eye treatment has proven excellent in treating keratoconus—a serious eye condition that causes the cornea to thin and bulge into a cone shape, resulting in blurred and distorted vision.
Also Read: Understanding the LASIK Procedure: What to Expect Before, During, and After
How Exactly Is Corneal Collagen Cross-Linking Performed?
It is a simple procedure that can be done in the doctor’s office. First, the doctor will put numbing drops in the patient’s eyes and a medicine to calm them if necessary. Following this, the doctor will put in specially formulated riboflavin (vitamin B2) eyedrops, allowing the eyes to absorb the light better. It takes about 30 minutes for the drops to soak into the cornea.
The patient lies back in the chair and looks up at a light. The patient shouldn’t feel any pain during the procedure due to the numbing of the eyes. The entire treatment takes about 60-90 minutes.
What Happens After Corneal Collagen Cross-Linking?
After the cross-linking procedure, the patient’s eyesight will be blurry. The changes in the patient’s vision from time to time are a common occurrence post procedure. The sensitivity to light increases, and the vision remains poor for 1-3 months after the surgery. The objective of the surgery is to slow down eye disease as well as prevent any vision-threatening problems in the future. However, in some scenarios, eyesight may improve over time.
Also Read: LASIK Aftercare: A Detailed Guide
Final Thoughts
Corneal Collagen Cross-Linking is a minimally invasive procedure that is effective in the treatment of keratoconus, an eyesight-threatening disease. You can prevent escalation of such eye diseases by booking an appointment at Shree Ramkrishna Netralaya, one of the best eye care hospitals in Mumbai.