Patients with keratoconus (ker-uh-toh-koh-nuhs) face difficult decisions about their eye health. With corneal cross-linking, vision can be preserved and improved with an outpatient procedure.
What is keratoconus?
The cornea is the clear, dome-shaped surface that covers the front of the eye. Keratoconus is a condition that causes thinning and bulging of the cornea. This abnormal shape can cause distorted vision, nearsightedness and astigmatism. It usually starts in childhood. One in 500 children in the U.S. have thin and misshapen corneas that can progress to keratoconus. Early treatment is essential to preserving vision.
What causes keratoconus?
Keratoconus can be caused by:
- genetics
- excessive eye rubbing
- connective tissue disorders like Ehlers-Danlos syndrome
- chronic eye irritation and inflammation
Other risks factors may include:
- allergies
- high near-sighted astigmatism
- neurodevelopmental disorders like Down syndrome
How is keratoconus treated with corneal cross-linking?
Corneal collagen cross-linking is a minimally invasive procedure that involves putting riboflavin (vitamin B2) on the cornea and then shining an ultraviolet light on the eye. This helps to strengthen the cornea. Since keratoconus weakens the cornea, cross-linking is one method of preventing or slowing the vision damage caused by it.
“It is the only FDA-approved procedure to help decrease the chance of keratoconus progression. Stabilizing the cornea can help prevent further bulging of the cornea, thus decreasing the chance of needing cornea transplantation. Cross-linking is generally performed in-office and takes about one hour to complete,” says Praneetha Thulasi, MD, a WashU Medicine ophthalmologist.
Where should I go for this procedure?
WashU Medicine ophthalmologists offer corneal cross-linking for both children and adults. Please visit our website or call to make an appointment.
Children with keratoconus: 314-454-6026
Adults with keratoconus: 314-362-3937