Keratoconus is a degenerative eye condition in which your cornea loses structural integrity due to a lack of collagen bonds. In appearance, the eye will look more cone-shaped than gently curved, as the eye’s tissue becomes weak and bulges to a steeper point.
How Keratoconus Affects Your Vision
Keratoconus leads to a wide range of vision problems, including ghosting, blurred vision, glare, halos and starbursts. The blurred vision can normally be corrected with glasses, but the irregular shape of the cornea means that contact lenses are usually not possible or are very uncomfortable.
How Corneal Collagen Cross-linking (CXL) Can Help
We have great news at Image Plus: keratoconus is now treatable through a procedure called corneal collagen cross-linking (CXL). In this procedure, your surgeon applies a photosensitizing solution containing riboflavin (vitamin B2) to the cornea and exposes it to a low dose of ultraviolet light. The reaction between the photosensitizer and the ultraviolet light creates new collagen bonds, known as cross-links, throughout the cornea.
Preserving and Improving Your Vision
If performed early enough, CXL can counteract the effects of keratoconus, preserving and even improving your vision. In more advances cases, CXL—often combined with other types of treatment—can postpone the need for invasive corneal transplants.
Contact Image Plus today to book your complimentary vision assessment and learn whether Corneal Collagen Cross-linking is right for you.