Corneal Crosslinking

Corneal crosslinking (CXL) at Toronto is one of the most advanced preventive and therapeutic procedures available, designed specifically for cases that suffer from a breakdown in the corneal tissue, and in particular people affected by keratoconus. The main goal of the procedure is to build up the bonds of strength and durability within the cornea, so as to stop the condition from getting worse and to protect these patients from the risk of losing their sight or needing a complex corneal transplant in the future.

How is corneal crosslinking performed?

Corneal crosslinking is a simple surgical procedure that uses a photochemical bonding technique. It combines riboflavin drops (vitamin B2) with a carefully measured dose of a particular type of ultraviolet light (UVA). This combination activates the collagen fibers in the cornea and strengthens the bonds between them, making it firmer and better able to resist the abnormal bulging caused by the disease.

Who is a candidate for crosslinking at Toronto?

Our doctors at Toronto recommend crosslinking for cases that show signs of keratoconus or weakness in the corneal tissue. The most common of these are:

• People who notice a sudden decline in the quality of their vision and continuous blurring.
• People who have to change their eyeglass prescription again and again over short periods of time.
• Those with extreme sensitivity to light and glare, and difficulty driving at night.
• Cases of corneal weakness caused by chronic corneal ulcers or certain types of irregular astigmatism.

The steps of crosslinking at Toronto

Corneal crosslinking is carried out at Toronto according to the highest standards of safety and sterilization, and it goes through the following stages:

1. Preparation: anesthetic drops are applied to keep patients completely comfortable throughout the procedure.
2. Applying drops to the cornea: riboflavin is dripped onto the cornea to make sure its tissue is fully saturated.
3. Light activation: ultraviolet light is applied through advanced devices at Toronto for a set length of time, usually between 15 and 30 minutes depending on the case.
4. Protection: at the end of the procedure, the doctor places a therapeutic contact lens (a bandage lens) to protect the surface of the cornea and speed up the healing of the tissue.

What is the right age and the success rate of crosslinking?

The crosslinking procedure offered at Toronto is very suitable for young people and teenagers who are diagnosed early, when the disease is at its most active. At Toronto Vision Eye Center we are proud of very high success rates, above 95%, in halting the progression of keratoconus and protecting the eye from serious complications.

What is the recovery period after crosslinking?

The team at Toronto is keen to provide excellent care after surgery until the patient has fully recovered. Although our cases need only a short period of rest afterward, it is worth noting that some haziness or sensitivity in the first few days is completely normal. Vision starts to settle gradually over three to six months after the procedure, and during this time our doctors recommend lubricating drops and others that reduce inflammation, prescribed with care by the center for each individual case.