Corneal Collagen Cross-Linking: What to Expect

The cornea helps focus light, allowing for sharp and clear eyesight. But what happens when the cornea weakens, or its structure erodes? Corneal irregularities of this type are known as corneal ectasias and can cause serious vision problems.

The most common example is keratoconus, in which the cornea weakens in the center, leading to an outward bulging or a cone-shaped eye.

This causes blurry vision and, if left untreated, may eventually require a corneal transplant. Fortunately, corneal collagen cross-linking is a minimally invasive procedure that can help stabilize the cornea and prevent further deterioration.

At InVision Eye Care, we're proud to be the first and only Ocean County practice to offer corneal collagen cross-linking using the FDA-approved iLink KXL System. Read on to discover how this innovative treatment can help you.

What Is Corneal Collagen Cross-Linking?

Corneal collagen cross-linking (CXL) is a non-surgical treatment to strengthen the cornea. This approach combines riboflavin (vitamin B2) eye drops and ultraviolet (UV) light to increase collagen cross-links inside the cornea, making it stronger and more resistant to further thinning and bulging.

This treatment is often the go-to solution for people with keratoconus, those with post-LASIK ectasia (a rare complication of refractive surgery,) and people who need to stabilize their vision before proceeding with PRK or other laser vision correction.

What to Expect During the Procedure

The steps involved include:

• Anesthesia: Our team applies anesthetic eye drops to numb your eye for the procedure. We gently remove the cornea's thin exterior layer (the epithelium) to prepare for optimal absorption in the next step.
• Riboflavin Application: We administer the vitamin B2 eye drops every two minutes over a half-hour period.
• UV Light Treatment: In the final step, we shine a controlled UV light directly onto the cornea for an additional half-hour. During this time, we continue applying B2 eye drops. The B2 eye drops and UV light interact to stimulate the growth of new collagen bonds in the cornea. This powerful protein strengthens and stiffens the cornea, helping return it to a healthier shape.

The corneal collagen cross-linking process is painless, and we provide detailed recovery instructions afterward.

You'll wear a "bandage" contact lens that protects your eye as it heals, which may take a few days up to a week. Our doctors prescribe eye drops to use at home as well. Vision may fluctuate initially, but most patients notice stabilization and gradual improvement.

Most patients take a few days off work or school and return to their usual activities within a week. Enjoying the full vision benefits may take up to a few months. 

Corneal Collagen Cross-Linking in Lakewood, NJ

Corneal collagen cross-linking may help preserve your vision if you have keratoconus or another type of corneal ectasia. If you're ready to learn more about this groundbreaking non-surgical treatment, call InVision Eye Care in Lakewood, NJ, at 732-210-0140 to schedule an appointment. We welcome patients from Ocean County, Monmouth County, and New Jersey.