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What is Corneal Cross-Linking?

Corneal cross-linking is a minimally invasive outpatient procedure that combines the use of ultraviolet light and specially formulated eye drops to stiffen and strengthen corneas that have been weakened by disease or refractive surgery. Cross-linking is considered the standard of care around the world for progressive keratoconus and corneal ectasia following refractive surgery.

Corneal cross-linking creates new corneal collagen cross-links that result in a shortening and thickening of the collagen fibers, creating new, stronger links to create a more stable cornea shape.

What is Corneal Cross-Linking?

Corneal cross-linking is a minimally invasive outpatient procedure that combines the use of ultraviolet light and specially formulated eye drops to stiffen and strengthen corneas that have been weakened by disease or refractive surgery. Cross-linking is considered the standard of care around the world for progressive keratoconus and corneal ectasia following refractive surgery.

Corneal cross-linking creates new corneal collagen cross-links that result in a shortening and thickening of the collagen fibers, creating new, stronger links to create a more stable cornea shape.

Is Cross-Linking Right for Me?

Patients who have been diagnosed with progressive keratoconus or corneal ectasia following refractive surgery should ask their doctor about corneal cross-linking

ICON Eyecare is proud to offer patients the first and only FDA-approved therapeutic solution for the treatment of progressive keratoconus, iLink™ corneal cross-linking. Now, patients who once had little to no therapeutic option to treat keratoconus have the opportunity to slow or halt the progression of this sight-threatening disease.

Corneal Cross Linking at ICON Eyecare
Corneal Cross Linking Treatment at ICON

What to Expect During The Procedure

Your surgeon will apply numbing drops to the eyes and will gently remove the epithelium (the thin layer on the surface of the cornea). Then specially formulated pharmaceutical-strength riboflavin eye drops will be applied to the cornea for at least 30 minutes. These drops will help enable the cross-linking reaction. Another specialty drop may be required depending on the thickness of your cornea.

The cornea is then exposed to UV light for 30 minutes while additional drops are applied. The specialty drops combined with the UV light stiffens and strengthens the cornea to slow or halt progressive keratoconus.