Free yourself from the progression of keratoconus with corneal cross-linking

Corneal cross-linking – the safe and effective control for keratoconus

Free yourself from the progression of Keratoconus with Corneal Cross-Linking

Corneal Cross-Linking – the safe and effective control for keratoconus

Overcome the pain and frustration of keratoconus with corneal cross-linking

A great solution to stop the progression of keratoconus
Corneal cross-linking suitability criteria
  • We recommend corneal cross-linking (CXL) for patients whose corneal scans show worsening keratoconus or those who might be at especially high risk of worsening keratoconus.
  • Healthy corneas can retain their shape due to strong bonds (cross-linkage) between collagen fibres. However, when keratoconus occurs, these cross-links, or support beams, break down, weakening the cornea and causing the tissue to bulge outwards
  • With corneal cross-linking, we apply riboflavin eye drops and ultraviolet light to the eye to increase the amount and strength of the collagen bonds. This strengthens the cornea and prevents further loss of vision.

Advantages

  • Improved vision: Up to 81% of patients who undergo CXL see more clearly after treatment1Miamikeratoconus.com. 2021. What is Cross Linking (CXL)?. [online] Available at: <https://www.miamikeratoconus.com/site/what-is-cross-linking-cxl.htm> [Accessed 24 June 2021].
  • Minimally invasive: As opposed to a corneal transplant, which requires a surgical procedure, CXL is minimally invasive
  • Long-lasting results: Studies have concluded that CXL results can last for years and that the strengthening effect may be permanent
  • Shorter recovery: Recovery following a corneal transplant can often be a lengthy process. In contrast, CXL allows patients to return to normal activities within days.

Disadvantages

  • Treatment for keratoconus depends on the severity of your condition and how quickly the condition progresses
  • Generally, there are two approaches to treating keratoconus: slowing the progression of the disease and improving your vision
  • If your keratoconus is progressing, we may suggest corneal collagen cross-linking treatment to slow or stop the progression. This is a newer treatment that has the potential to prevent you from needing a cornea transplant in the future. However, this treatment does not reverse keratoconus or improve vision
  • Improving your vision depends on the severity of keratoconus. Mild to moderate keratoconus can be treated with eyeglasses or contact lenses. However, this will likely be a long-term treatment, especially if your cornea becomes stable with time or from cross-linking
  • In some people with keratoconus, the cornea becomes scarred with advanced disease or wearing contact lenses becomes difficult. In these people, cornea transplant surgery might be necessary.

Step 1: We numb the eye’s surface, so you feel no pain
Step 2: We remove the epithelial cell layer from the central part of the cornea and apply the riboflavin eye drops
Step 3: Once the eye drops have penetrated the cornea, we focus the UV light onto the central area of the cornea for 10 minutes
Step 4: Finally, we apply a bandage soft contact lens. You must wear the contact lens for up to 2 weeks until the surface epithelial cell layer has regrown.

  • Cross-linking is currently the only available treatment that appears to stop the worsening of keratoconus6 Cross-linking is currently the only available treatment that appears to stop the worsening of keratoconus.9WebMD. 2021. What Is Corneal Cross-Linking?. [online] Available at: <https://www.webmd.com/eye-health/corneal-cross-linking-for-keratoconus> [Accessed 24 June 2021]..
  • Clinical trials based on outcomes one year after cross-linking show success in the halting of keratoconus in more than 90% of treated eyes, with more than 45% of eyes also gaining an improvement in corneal shape7Aldo Caporossi, Cosimo Mazzotta, Stefano Baiocchi, Tomaso Caporossi, Rosario Denaro, “Age-Related Long-Term Functional Results after Riboflavin UV A Corneal Cross-Linking”, Journal of Ophthalmology, vol. 2011, Article ID 608041, 6 pages, 2011. https://doi.org/10.1155/2011/608041. A separate study over five years showed a similar success rate in halting the progress of keratoconus.
  • Visual improvement after treatment occurs in approximately 50% of cases. However, after treatment, you will still need to wear spectacles or contact lenses.8Christopher Kent, S., 2021. Cross-Linking: Asking the Tough Questions. [online] Reviewofophthalmology.com. Available at: <https://www.reviewofophthalmology.com/article/cross-linking-asking-the-tough-questions#:~:text=so%2C%20for%20whom%3F-,Dr.,some%20flattening%20after%20cross%2Dlinking.> [Accessed 24 June 2021].

Gain freedom from reading glasses in just 15 minutes

Wave goodbye to your reading glasses and say hello to a younger you with lens replacement surgery! See the world in perfect clarity, like never before.

Gain freedom from reading glasses in just 15 minutes

Wave goodbye to your reading glasses and say hello to a younger you with lens replacement surgery! See the world in perfect clarity, like never before.

Gain visual freedom in 3 easy steps

Eye treatment options can be confusing. We’ve made the journey as straightforward as can be

Get in touch

Not everyone is suitable for reading glasses treatment. The first step is to get a clear answer on whether there is a treatment option that can help you or not. Give our friendly team a call on 07943 872888 or book a free assessment online now.

We’ll meet

At your consultation, we’ll answer your questions and give you a clear and honest recommendation based on your lifestyle. You’ll leave with a confident understanding of the best reading treatment option for your unique eyes.

ENJOY FREEDOM

After treatment, people across the country tell us how surprised they are by how quickly their life changed and how young they feel. Reading a restaurant menu, scanning their phone or seeing the dials on the car dashboard are all possible once more. Most people say that they wish they had done it years earlier!

What our patients say…

We’ve helped thousands of happy patients in Surrey and Kent gain freedom with eye surgery

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

“I would like to thank you all for looking after me so well. This was the first time I had ever had any treatment to my eye and whilst somewhat tense about the procedure I can honestly say that it went like clockwork.”

Mr J.OP

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

“Thank you and your team very much indeed for looking after me during my initial visit and the day of cataract surgery.
I didn’t know what to expect, you put me at ease and everyone was very professional-excellent job!”

J, Tunbridge Wells

We have replaced the images of real patients who provided these testimonials to protect their privacy.

Experience a brighter future with corneal crosslinking.

Take the first exciting step towards discovering how you can get healthy eyes

Experience a brighter future with corneal crosslinking

Take the first exciting step towards discovering how you can get healthy eyes

Academic resources on cross-linking

Learn more about cross-linking from authoritative sources. These links will take you off our website.
This paper provides a comprehensive overview of what corneal cross-linking is, what the operation involves, the risks and benefits, and all you need to know about its recovery. Click here to read more.

Corneal cross-linking is a minimally invasive outpatient procedure designed to treat progressive keratoconus (and sometimes other conditions that cause a similar weakening of the cornea). Learn all you need to know about suitability and what to expect during and after corneal cross-linking. Click here to read more.

Affiliations and memberships

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Hello, I’m Lucia Pelosini MD, your eye surgeon in Surrey & Kent

My vision is to provide my patients with warm and personalised guidance through their cataract surgery journey from start to finish. I run a highly individualized service to treat discerning patients with presbyopia (aging eyes) and cataracts who want the best treatment and technology available.

Ms. Lucia Pelosini

Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon,
MD, MRCSEd, FRCOphth, CertLRS