What does cross-linking do for keratoconus?

The goal is to keep the cornea from bulging more. It’s called “cross-linking” because it adds bonds between the collagen fibers in your eye. They work like support beams to help the cornea stay stable. Corneal cross-linking is the only treatment that can stop progressive keratoconus from getting worse.

What does keratoconus have to do with proteins?

Protein Changes in KC. Changes in proteins that might contribute to corneal thinning include the increase of degradative enzymes such as acid phosphatases, acid esterases and acid lipases [24].

Can cross-linking reverse keratoconus?

Corneal cross-linking is a treatment for progressive keratoconus. It cannot reverse the disease, but it can slow it or stop it from progressing further and preserve your remaining vision. Having corneal cross-linking may allow patients to avoid having a corneal transplant later on.

Is corneal cross-linking worth it?

Dr. Rubinfeld notes that cross-linking does improve vision in a number of patients. “We’ve found that about 50 percent of the time patients achieve a significant improvement in vision,” he says. “Nearly all studies have found some improvement in corneal curvature and some flattening after cross-linking.

What is protein cross-linking?

Crosslinking proteins. Crosslinking is the process of chemically joining two or more molecules by a covalent bond. Crosslinking reagents (or crosslinkers) are molecules that contain two or more reactive ends capable of chemically attaching to specific functional groups (primary amines, sulfhydryls, etc.)

What happens during cross-linking?

During a corneal cross linking procedure, your doctor will first apply riboflavin (vitamin B2) eye drops, and then shine a specific type of ultraviolet light directly onto your cornea. The eye drops consist of a substance conducive to photo enhancing, which enables cross linking to take place.

Can vision improve after cross-linking?

However, corneal collagen cross-linking – an advanced procedure approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2016 – can vastly improve vision in patients of all ages. Corneal collagen cross-linking (CXL) is not a cure for keratoconus, but it can help prevent the condition from getting worse.

Do you need glasses after cross-linking?

Will I need new glasses or contacts after CXL? Because cross-linking often improves vision, patients find that their old contacts or glasses are too strong for them and they need to be refit with new, glasses and/or contact lenses.