Corneal Collagen Cross-Linking
Corneal Collagen Cross-Linking improves biomechanical stability for thin corneas. It is usually done in combination with any LASIK procedure to biomechanically strengthen thin corneas for greater and lasting stability of vision over time as well as to conserve corneal tissue.
The procedure involves applying riboflavin to the eye and then cross-linked (or activated) with UV-A light for approximately 20 minutes. While a different procedure, Intrastromal Corneal Ring (ICR) combined with Cross-Linking, is designed for keratoconus eye condition and used as an alternative to corneal transplant surgery.
This technique is beyond keratectasia as it is used in treating both corneal melting conditions and infectious keratitis since cross-linking would strengthen a collagenolytic with UVA irradiation sterilizing the infectious agent.
The recommendation of these aforementioned procedures, however, will all depend on the result and findings of a patient’s comprehensive eye screening.