Vision & Refractive Errors | Keratoconus | Cataract Surgery
Collagen Crosslinking with Riboflavin (CXL)
CXL is surgery to treat a weakened or distorted cornea. Disease or sometimes surgery can harm Collagen. Collagen is a protein that provides strength and structure. to the cornea. CXL surgery strengthens and reinforces the cornea.
In corneal cross-linking, doctors use eyedrop medication and ultraviolet (UV) light from a special machine to make the tissues in your cornea stronger. The goal is to stop the cornea from bulging more. It’s called “cross-linking” because it adds bonds between the collagen fibres in your eye. They work like support beams to help the cornea stay stable. Corneal cross-linking is the only treatment that can stop progressive keratoconus And it may help you avoid a corneal transplant, which is major surgery.
What does the procedure involve?
CXL is an outpatient procedure, which means you go home the same day
Here's what to expect
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While lying down, drops are given to numb your eyes so that the outer layer of the cornea (epithelium)can be removed. This allows the medication to reach deeper into the cornea.
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Vitamin B (riboflavin) eye drops which are yellow in colour are applied to the cornea for about 30 minutes so that it is absorbed into the cornea.
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Then a special machine is used to shine UV light rays at your cornea for 10 minutes. The light activates the riboflavin in the cornea. This helps form new bonds between the collagen fibers in your cornea.
Once the procedure is completed, a soft bandage contact lens is placed on the eye and antibiotics are instilled. The contact lens is usually removed after 3 days.
You will be given drops to use at home to help your eyes heal. Your vision will be very blurry at first but should gradually improve within 2 to 3 weeks. If you have severe eye pain, or a sudden change/loss of vision, call your doctor immediately.
How long is the recovery?
Most people are able to get back to their normal daily activities within a few days of CXL surgery.
Your vision may not be fully stable for several months. This means your “best-corrected” vision (your eyeglasses or contacts prescription) will likely change during this time. After 6 to 8 weeks, we can refit your glasses or hard contact lenses.
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While corneal cross-linking does not make your existing corneal bulging and thinning go back to normal, the goal of treatment is to keep keratoconus or ectasia from getting worse. For some people, CXL prevents the need for more serious surgery, like a corneal transplant.
What are the risks of CXL Procedure?
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Feeling like something is in your eye (called “foreign body sensation”)
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Being sensitive to light
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Having dry eye
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Having hazy or blurry vision
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Feeling eye discomfort or mild eye pain
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Rarely, CXL can cause more serious side effects, including:
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Worsening of keratoconus
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Scarring
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Infection
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Loss of vision
Some of our other treatments
Laser eye surgery
Laser eye surgery may help with conditions including short-sightedness, far-sightedness, astigmatism, and presbyopia.
Cataract surgery
Cataract surgery is one of the most common eye surgeries performed today. It is quick, safe and a great investment to improve the quality of your life.
Lens replacement
Refractive Lens Exchange, or Natural Lens Replacement, is a process where the natural lens is replaced by an advanced lens Implant to correct vision.
Make an appointment
If you have problems with clouded vision, get in touch with us to discuss how cataract surgery may alleviate the problem.