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Keratoconus : Collagen Crosslinking (C3R,CXR,CCL,KXL)

New treatment options offers a new hope in patients of progressive Keratoconus

What is Keratoconus?

Keratoconus is a bilateral ocular disorder in which the cornea assumes a conical shape due to thinning of the stromal collagen tissue. It is a relatively frequent disease with an incidence of 1 in 2000 in the general population. It classically has its onset at puberty and is progressive until the third or fourth decade of life when it usually arrests.

The Neo vision keratoconus specialists in Pune detect Keratoconus clinically by slit lamp examination and the diagnosis can be confirmed by corneal topography.

Treatment Options

Currently, the mainstay of treatment for Keratoconus includes glasses and / or specially designed rigid gas permeable contact lenses which offer good quality of vision.

In advanced cases, visual improvement in keratoconus can be achieved surgically by placement of intracorneal rings, topography guided ablation treatments and corneal grafting.

Collagen Cross Linking is a new modality of treatment that aims to arrest progression of keratoconus.

Here are some of Frequently asked questions

The corneal collagen is crosslinked with the help of ultraviolet rays ( UVA ) and a photosensitiser, Riboflavin , thus enhancing the rigidity of corneal tissue and stabilizing the condition

Patient must be a proven case of keratoconus with documented progression of the disease. Patient’s corneal thickness must be at least 400 microns.

Patient should not be pregnant or nursing.

The treatment is performed under topical anaesthesia with the patient in a lying down posture in the sterile environment of the operating room. The patient’s corneal epithelium is gently removed, following which Riboflavin solution is applied every 5 minutes for the first half an hour. Thereafter the patient’s cornea is exposed to UVA light for half an hour. The treatment is painless and lasts for an hour, at the end of which the eye is patched

Accelerated Crosslinking involves use of latest equipment in crosslinking which delivers same energy in shorter period of time making the total procedure to be over in less than half an hour .This treatment offers less patient discomfort and early recovery.

After the treatment, patient will be able to resume work within 3 to 4 days.Care should be taken to avoid entry of water into the eyes during this period.The use of contact lenses may be resumed 6 weeks after treatment.

The surgeon will examine the patient’s eye daily for the first 2 to 3 days until the epithelial healing is complete. Eye drops will be used for 4 months. Patient will have to come for follow up at 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year and 2 years after the procedure.

If both eyes are suitable for Collagen crosslinking, the treatment is performed on one eye at a time .The timing of treatment of the second eye is best decided in consultation with your ophthalmologist.

A foreign body sensation, irritation or watering accompanied by pain is not uncommon on the day of treatment. Analgesics for relief from pain will be prescribed , and the pain usually subsides within 24 hours. Dryness of the eyes frequently follows this treatment and may last for 6 to 8 months. Tear lubricants are therefore recommended for the period.