About the treatment
For a long time, conditions in which the cornea bulges outward could only be treated with a corneal transplant. The UV light treatment that strengthens the cornea was developed by German scientists between 1993 and 1997. Today it is used in more than 300 centres worldwide, and thousands of procedures have been done.
Our clinic has treated corneal ectasia with the UV-X method since 2008. In 2019, with grant funding, we acquired a new Peschke PXL SAPPHIRE 318 cross-linking system (details).
Which conditions can it treat?
- Keratoconus: progressive bulging and thinning of the central part of the cornea.
- Pellucid marginal degeneration: a similar condition affecting the edge of the cornea.
- Iatrogenic corneal ectasia: for example after LASIK surgery.
How it is done, in short
- A suitability exam first. If you wear contact lenses, you must stop wearing them 1 month before the procedure.
- During the procedure we remove the surface layer of the cornea, then apply a light-sensitising agent (riboflavin) as drops – for 30 minutes.
- Then follows UV irradiation – for 30 minutes, lying down.
- ~1.5 hoursthe whole procedure
- 2–3 daysstinging, watering, light sensitivity until the surface heals
- repeatableif needed
The treatment is not painful – a little uncomfortable, and boring. Afterwards there is 2–3 days of stinging pain, watering and light sensitivity, until the surface of the cornea heals. Vision may fluctuate for months. You will need to use eye drops for a while and come to regular check-ups.
What keratoconus treatment aims for
By linking the stretched, weakened fibres of the cornea, the cornea becomes stronger, so further bulging and thinning stops or slows down. It should therefore be done at a stage when vision can still be corrected with glasses or contact lenses – so that a far more demanding corneal transplant can be avoided or delayed. The procedure can be repeated.