Corneal Cross-Linking

Keratoconus is a progressive condition where the cornea (the clear front surface of the eye) gradually thins and bulges into a cone shape. This causes increasingly distorted and blurred vision that cannot be fully corrected with standard glasses. It typically begins in the teenage years or early twenties.

Cross-linking creates new chemical bonds between the collagen fibres that give your cornea its structure. By strengthening these bonds, the cornea becomes stiffer and more resistant to further thinning and bulging. It is the only treatment proven to halt keratoconus progression.

The primary goal of CXL is to stabilise your cornea and prevent further deterioration , not to improve existing vision. However, some patients do experience modest improvements in corneal shape and visual clarity over the following months. For vision improvement, additional treatments such as specialty contact lenses or intracorneal ring segments may be recommended.

The procedure itself is painless thanks to anaesthetic drops. However, the first 2–3 days after surgery can be uncomfortable, with sharp or throbbing pain, grittiness, light sensitivity, and watering. Pain medication and lubricating drops are provided, and the discomfort typically resolves by day 5.

The bandage contact lens is removed after 5–7 days once the epithelium has healed. Most patients return to normal activities within 1–2 weeks. Vision may remain blurry for 1–3 months and prescription stability can take 6–12 months. You should take at least 1 week off work.