Corneal
Collagen CrossLinking with Riboflavin
(also known as С3-R ,UVX
and now CXL)
A new hope for Keratoconus
patients
There is finally
some good news for patients with
keratoconus
Corneal Collagen
Cross-linking using Riboflavin
involves application of
Riboflavin drops to the cornea,
followed by exposure of the
cornea to low dose ultraviolet A
light. The activated riboflavin
induces collagen fibrils(glue
that holds the body together)
to thicken, stiffen, & re-attach
i.e. cross-link to each other
creating new bonds between the
adjacent collagen molecules
leading to increase in the
rigidity and thereby rendering
cornea less malleable.
Keratoconus, a ectatic
corneal disease usually
progresses in the younger age
group
Earlier ,the only
way to make the patient see
better was by fitting special
contact lenses, intracorneal
rings or if all else failed a
lamellar or full thickness
corneal transplant.
These surgical
treatments have their
limitations and need for
lifelong care and follow up.
This is the only procedure which
eventually stops/ delays the
progression of Corneal ectasia
and this
helps in stable fitting for
Contact lenses and glasses and
most importantly to delay
and in come
cases avoid a corneal transplant.
In Gujarat, Rajasthan and Madhya
Pradesh, it is currently only
available at Retina Foundation,
Ahmedabad.
For more details, you can
contact at
cxl4keratoconus@gmail.com
or
drsandeeparora@gmail.com
Advantages of CrossLinking
Treatment with Riboflavin
·
Causes an increase in corneal
stiffness of the anterior
200-250 μm
·
Deeper structures don‘t get
damaged
·
Simple one time treatment
·
Halts the progress and causes
some regression
· No injection , No
stitches & No incisions as in
Keratoplasty
·
Quick & Easy treatment with low
costs.
