Keratoconus is an eye disease that causes the cornea to become irregular in shape and to weaken and thin over time. As the condition progresses the cornea will become thinner and take on a cone shape which will prevent light from entering the eye correctly and being focused properly on the retina resulting in blurred and distorted vision.
Patients with keratoconus will experience decreased vision that cannot be fully corrected with standard eyeglasses. Light sensitivity, glare and frequent changes in the prescription also occur. Without proper intervention, progression can occur, causing corneal scarring and decreased vision. Current advances in corneal treatment allow for slowing down or stopping the progression of keratoconus with a procedure called Corneal Cross-Linking (CXL).
What Is Corneal Cross-Linking?
Corneal Cross-Linking is an eye treatment that works by strengthening the cornea of the eye and stabilising the structure. Riboflavin (Vitamin B2) drops are placed on the eye, followed by a controlled level of ultraviolet (UV) light for a specified period. Oxygen is also introduced and the two (Riboflavin and UV light) react in a biochemical way in the cornea producing more cross-links between the fibres of collagen that makes up the structure of the cornea.
This process makes the cornea more rigid, and it is less likely to bulge forward. Instead of treating the condition, as and when it happens, and therefore only tackling the symptoms of Keratoconus, Cross-Linking works by tackling the structure of the eye and improving its integrity so it is unlikely to get any worse.
How the Procedure Works
The cornea consists of several distinct layers, and the treatment is designed to strengthen the collagen-rich stromal layer that provides much of the cornea’s structural support. To allow effective penetration of the Riboflavin solution, the thin outer epithelial layer of the cornea is first gently removed. Riboflavin drops are then applied at regular intervals over approximately 30 minutes, allowing the solution to saturate the corneal tissue.
After absorption is enough, the cornea is then exposed to a carefully calibrated UV source for an additional period while more Riboflavin drops are being instilled. Patients might experience some temporary discomfort, light sensitivity or grittiness for a few days after the procedure as the epithelial layer repairs itself, vision is often variable during the recovery phase, and the stability effect of the procedure is usually checked in the subsequent months.
What Are the Advantages of Corneal Cross-Linking?
- Slows or Stops Disease Progression
The main aim of Corneal Cross-Linking is to stop any progression of the keratoconus. Through strengthening the cornea, the risk of the tissue thinning or distorting any more can be reduced.
- May Reduce the Need for Future Surgical Intervention
Successful stabilisation may allow the patient to avoid more invasive treatment later in life. The patient might not require corneal transplant.
- Minimally Invasive Outpatient Treatment
Cross-Linking is an outpatient procedure, allowing the patient to return home on the same day and to be discharged from the hospital.
- Helps Preserve Existing Vision
Although Cross-Linking proves itself to be very effective in stabilising the cornea, one must bear in mind that its goal is preservation rather than enhancement. In other words the objective is to arrest the vision level that the patient has attained and prevent its progression, not to recover sight that has been lost.
Who May Benefit from Cross-Linking?
The treatment most typically used today for Corneal Cross-Linking, is best suited for younger patients with progressing Keratoconus, in other words patients whose condition is worse today than it was in previous years. Monitoring eye tests and images of the cornea are essential to track progression and decide when treatment might be required. Early intervention can maximize long term visual acuity and corneal health.
Expert Care for Keratoconus Management
The prevention of vision loss in patients with keratoconus involves early detection and early intervention. The use of modern diagnostic equipment permits ophthalmologists to detect subtle changes in the corneal shape and thickness which allows them to prevent the loss of vision.
A personal consultation will enable them to assess if Cross-Linking is the appropriate course of treatment for your needs and advise you on the best way to protect your long-term sight. The majority of people with keratoconus will be able to keep a stable vision with proper monitoring and current management approaches and prevent progressive disease complications.
Book for consultation today.
No comments:
Post a Comment