74 ETHNIKIS ANTISTASIS str.
KALAMARIA, THESSALONIKI, GREECE, 55133
+30 2310 436666
+30 6944 544739
KERATOCONUS & CROSS-LINKING
Keratoconus (KC) is a progressive, noninflammatory, bilateral
(but usually asymmetrical) ectatic corneal disease, characterized
by paraxial corneal thinning and weakening that leads to corneal
surface distortion.
Visual loss occurs primarily from irregular astigmatism and later from
induced myopia. In advanced cases corneal scarring may also appear.
Typically commences at puberty and progresses to the mid-thirties
at which time progression slows and often stops.
In general young patients with advanced disease are more likely to progress
to the point where they may ultimately require some form of surgical
intervention.
Subclinical Keratoconus(KC) normally causes no visual impairment, the patient may require glasses
or nothing to achieve 20/20 vision.
Clinical Keratoconus is classified in several stages according to the conus severity.
Staging and proper follow up of KC is achieved by performing in regular intervals Corneal Topography examinations.
Staging of
Cross-Linking
A non-invasive treatment CXL (corneal collagen cross-linking riboflavin) treatment has been proven to strengthen the weak corneal structure in Keratoconus.This method works by increasing collagen cross-linking, which are the natural "anchors" within the cornea.These anchors are responsible for preventing the cornea from bulging out and becoming steep and irregular (which is the cause of Keratoconus).During the 30-minute, in-office treatment, custom-made riboflavin eyedrops are applied to the cornea, which are then activated by a special light. This is the process that has been shown in laboratory and clinical studies to increase the amount of collagen cross-linking in the cornea and strengthen the cornea.In published studies, such treatments were proven safe and effective in patients with Keratoconus.