Common Cornea Problems and Corneal Cross-Linking
August 27, 2024
The cornea is the outermost, clear layer of the eye that protects the eye from debris and germs. It also allows light to enter the eye, which is paramount for vision. However, because corneas act as the first line of defense for the surface of the eye, they are prone to injuries, damage, or disease. There are many different corneal disorders that may impact your eyesight. Thankfully, cornea cross-linking (CXL) is an effective solution for some corneal issues. Read on to learn more about these conditions, treatments, and why early treatment is paramount.
Common Corneal Problems Treated with CXL
There are a number of corneal issues that can be effectively treated with CXL, including the following.
Corneal Ectasia
Corneal ectasia is a group of conditions that cause the cornea to become thin and bulge outward. It can happen naturally or as a result of certain eye surgeries, such as LASIK or PRK. The most common type of corneal ectasia is Keratoconus.
Keratoconus
Keratoconus is an eye condition that causes the cornea to thin and bulge into a cone shape. This can result in distorted or blurred vision. While it is not known exactly why people have keratoconus, in some cases, it appears to be genetic.
This condition often begins in people in their late teens to early 20s and affects both eyes. Symptoms may differ in each eye and include mild blurring of vision, slightly distorted vision, increased sensitivity to light, and eye swelling or redness. Keratoconus can be diagnosed through a routine eye exam.
Corneal Problems that CXL Cannot Treat
Unfortunately, there are also some corneal issues that cannot be treated with CXL. These may include:
Fuchs’ Dystrophy
Fuch’s Dystrophy is a corneal disease that causes the cells in the corneal endothelium to die off slowly. In turn, fluid builds up in the cornea, causing it to become swollen and puffy, resulting in cloudy or hazy vision. In the early stages of this disease, patients may experience few to no symptoms. However, in the later stages, vision may be blurry, and small blisters may form on the cornea.
Treatment for Fuch’s Dystrophy includes eye drop medications, endothelial keratoplasty (EK), or a full corneal transplant.
What is Corneal Cross-linking?
Corneal cross-linking (CXL) is a surgical procedure to treat a weak or warped cornea. There are two main types of CXL treatments, including epithelium-off treatment and epithelium-on treatment.
CXL is an outpatient procedure, so patients can return home the same day. During the procedure, numbing drops are first placed into the eyes. If an epithelium-off procedure is taking place, the ophthalmologist then removes the epithelium from the eye; if an epithelium-on technique is being used, this step is skipped. Riboflavin (Vitamin B) eye drop medication is then applied to the cornea. Next, a special device shines a focused beam of UV light into the cornea, activating the riboflavin to help form new bonds between collagen fibers in the cornea.
Overall, CXL offers many benefits for those who are candidates, including:
- Slowing or halting the progression of keratoconus.
- Reducing the need for corneal transplants.
- Long-term stability and safety.
Schedule a Consultation
As with most eye conditions, early diagnosis and treatment of corneal problems may help prevent or slow the condition’s progression. If you are experiencing any of the symptoms associated with corneal disease or conditions, do not hesitate to contact your local ophthalmologist. At Anh Nguyen Ophthalmology in Falls Church, VA, our ophthalmologists are highly skilled in performing CXL procedures to preserve vision and improve your quality of life.
