Performed at Georgia Eye Physicians and Surgeons in Duluth, GA near Atlanta
At Georgia Eye Physicians and Surgeons, our board-certified ophthalmologist and experienced eye surgeon Dr. William Segal offers a variety of advanced procedures to help our patients enjoy better eyesight and improved quality of life. One of these procedures is called corneal collagen cross-linking. Find out what this treatment involves and how it may be able to help you and your vision.
What Is Corneal Collagen Cross-Linking?
At Georgia Eye Physicians and Surgeons, we perform the iLink™ procedure, the first and only FDA-approved method for corneal collagen cross-linking. This treatment uses a combination of specially formulated eye drops and precisely applied UV light to create new bonds between the collagen fibers in your cornea. This strengthens and firms a cornea that has been weakened and thinned by certain eye conditions.
What Eye Conditions Does Corneal Collagen Cross-Linking Treat?
Corneal collagen cross-linking is used to treat a group of conditions known as corneal ectasia, or a thinning of the cornea. Most frequently, we use cross-linking to treat a specific type of corneal ectasia called keratoconus. Keratoconus is a relatively rare eye condition that causes your cornea to become progressively weaker and thinner. Over time, the weakened cornea cannot keep its rounded shape so it begins to bulge outward in a cone-like shape due to the pressure within your eye.
Corneal collagen cross-linking helps with keratoconus and corneal ectasia by strengthening the collagen fibers that your condition has weakened. This stops or slows the progression of the condition so your symptoms don’t worsen.
How Is Corneal Collagen Cross-Linking Performed?
Corneal collagen cross-linking is minimally invasive outpatient procedure. We begin by numbing your eyes with eyedrops. Next, we will remove the thin outer layer of your cornea, called the epithelium to allow the cross-linking drops to reach deeper in the cornea. The numbing eyedrops will ensure that this is a pain-free process.
After this step, we apply specially formulated riboflavin eyedrops to your eyes and allow them to thoroughly soak into your cornea. Next, we use an artificial UV light to apply precise light to your eyes. This UV light interacts with the riboflavin solution in a way that bonds the collagen fibers in your cornea, creating a firmer structure for your cornea.
Finally, we will apply a bandage lens over your cornea, and this lens will remain in place for a week to allow your cornea to heal. Because we perform this procedure on an outpatient basis at our surgery center in Sandy Springs, you’ll be able to return home after your procedure to rest.
Are You a Candidate for Corneal Collagen Cross-Linking?
iLink™ corneal collagen cross-linking is a successful way to minimize specific chronic eye conditions and help you retain your clear vision. To find out if corneal collagen cross-linking can benefit you, call Georgia Eye Physicians and Surgeons to schedule your appointment.
