How Corneal Cross-Linking Addresses Keratoconus and Blurry Vision

North Carolina resident Donnie Rhett Koonce performs tasks such as glaucoma screening and retinal imaging at Charlotte Optometric Clinic. As an ophthalmic assistant, Donnie Rhett Koonce is part of a team that offers a wide range of procedures, from cataract surgery to corneal cross-linking.

Corneal cross-linking is a proven treatment for keratoconus, which causes progressive corneal distortion and thinning, and often results in blurred vision. With some cases associated with heredity, keratoconus can also increase sensitivity to glare and light, and it may have symptoms such as eye swelling or redness. In the condition’s advanced stages, nearsightedness often becomes a major issue, and wearing contact lenses may be impossible.

Corneal cross-linking starts with saturating the cornea with riboflavin drops. The cross-linking effect is then encouraged through providing a bath of ultraviolet A light on the cornea. While this approach does not cure keratoconus, it can stop progression of the disease and resulting vision deterioration. It may also help avoid a more invasive cornea transplant procedure, though corrective lenses will likely still be required.