Strengthen Your Cornea and Protect Your Vision with CXL

A minimally invasive treatment to halt keratoconus and corneal ectasia.

What is Corneal Cross-Linking (CXL)?

Corneal Cross-Linking (CXL) is a special eye treatment that helps stop certain eye conditions, like keratoconus, from getting worse. Keratoconus is when the cornea, the clear front part of your eye, becomes weak and changes shape. This can make your vision blurry or distorted. CXL works by using vitamin B2 (riboflavin) eye drops and a special UV light to strengthen the cornea. The process helps your cornea stay strong and stable, so your vision doesn’t get worse.

The CXL procedure is simple and safe. It’s done in our office and usually takes about an hour. First, we’ll apply eye drops to your cornea. Then, a UV light is used to activate the drops, which helps make your cornea stronger. There’s no surgery involved, and most patients can return to their normal activities within a few days.

CXL is a great option for patients who are in the early stages of keratoconus or have corneal ectasia, which can rarely happen after eye surgery like LASIK. By getting CXL, you can protect your vision and avoid the need for more serious treatments down the road.

What are Keratoconus and Corneal Ectasia?

Keratoconus is a condition where the cornea, the clear front part of your eye, becomes thin and changes shape. Instead of being round, it bulges out like a cone, which can cause blurry or distorted vision. Corneal ectasia is similar and can happen after eye surgery like LASIK, causing the cornea to weaken and change shape. Both conditions can get worse over time, making it harder to see clearly. Early treatment, like Corneal Cross-Linking (CXL), can help stop these conditions from progressing and protect your vision for the future.

What are Benefits of Corneal Cross-Linking (CXL)?

Corneal Cross-Linking (CXL) offers many important benefits for people with conditions like keratoconus or corneal ectasia. One of the biggest benefits is that CXL helps stop these conditions from getting worse. By strengthening the cornea, the clear part of your eye, CXL helps keep your vision stable and protects against further damage. This means you are less likely to need more serious treatments like a corneal transplant in the future.

CXL is also a non-surgical and minimally invasive treatment. The procedure only uses eye drops and a special UV light, so there’s no cutting involved. Most patients experience little to no discomfort during the procedure. You can usually get back to your normal routine within a few days.

Another benefit of CXL is that it can be combined with other treatments, like specialty contact lenses, to help improve your vision even more. It’s a safe and effective option, and many patients find relief knowing that their condition is being treated early.

Who is a Candidate for Corneal Cross-Linking (CXL)?

Corneal Cross-Linking (CXL) is a good option for people who have been diagnosed with progressive keratoconus or corneal ectasia. These are conditions where the cornea, the clear front part of your eye, becomes weak and changes shape, leading to blurry or distorted vision. If you’re in the early stages of keratoconus or if your cornea is getting thinner, CXL can help stop the condition from getting worse.

People who have had vision correction surgery, like LASIK, may also develop corneal ectasia, which causes similar problems. CXL is often recommended to stabilize the cornea and prevent further vision loss. If you are noticing changes in your vision or have been told your cornea is thinning, you may be a good candidate for CXL.

Your eye doctor has specific criteria to determine if your cornea is changing enough to warrant CXL therapy, such as worsening corneal thinning or astigmatism. They will discuss this with you at your consultation.

It’s important to get evaluated early because CXL works best in the early stages of these conditions. The procedure is safe, effective, and non-invasive, making it a great choice for patients who want to protect their vision.

What Happens During a Corneal Cross-Linking (CXL) Procedure?

The Corneal Cross-Linking (CXL) procedure is simple and usually takes about an hour. The first step of the procedure, the outer layer of the cornea, called the epithelium, is removed before the treatment begins. This allows the special eye drops containing riboflavin (vitamin B2) to soak into the cornea. After that, a UV light is used to activate the drops, strengthening the cornea.

Most patients can return to normal activities in a few days after the procedure. CXL helps stabilize your cornea, preventing further vision loss. If you’re diagnosed with keratoconus or corneal ectasia, CXL may be a great treatment to protect your vision. Contact us to learn more or to schedule a consultation.

Recovery and Results After Corneal Cross-Linking (CXL)

For the recovery after Corneal Cross-Linking (CXL) most patients can return to normal activities within a day or two. You may experience some discomfort for a week, and it could take several months for your vision to stabilize. The cornea will get stronger over time, and most patients see long-lasting results. CXL helps stop keratoconus and corneal ectasia from getting worse, protecting your vision for the future. Regular follow-ups with your eye doctor are important to monitor progress and ensure the best outcome.

Think you might be a candidate for Corneal Cross-Linking (CXL)? Take the next step and book a consultation.