The cornea is the clear surface that covers the front of the eye and helps focus light. It is made up of millions of fibers that are linked together to maintain the cornea’s dome shape – much like how a sweater is made up of hundreds of threads that maintain its structure.

Just like threads can break or fray and change a sweater’s shape, in conditions such as keratoconus, the links between corneal fibers are weakened, altering the cornea’s shape. This can lead to distorted vision that can worsen over time.

To strengthen and stabilize the shape of your cornea, your doctor may recommend corneal crosslinking. Crosslinking is a minimally invasive treatment that involves administering drops of a vitamin solution called riboflavin to your cornea. The saturated cornea will then be exposed to UV light, which activates the solution. The drops and light work together to make the bonds in the cornea stronger, preventing further progression.

If you or someone you care about have been been diagnosed with keratoconus, ask us if crosslinking is right for you.