Corneal cross-linking, also known as CXL, is a recently released FDA approved treatment for mild to moderate keratoconus. CXL is considered a minimally invasive procedure and has been found to be effective for many patients diagnosed with keratoconus.
Keratoconus a thinning and weakening of the cornea. It causes the cornea, which is usually shaped like a dome, to bulge out, into more of a cone shape. Having a cone-shaped cornea means that vision will become blurry and distorted, which requires special contacts and glasses. If you have keratoconus, you will not qualify for Lasik.
When people are first diagnosed with keratoconus, it can be treated using glasses and soft contact lenses. As the disease progresses, a more aggressive treatment regimen becomes necessary. Once keratoconus has progressed beyond a certain point, eyeglasses and contacts are no longer effective treatment options. Instead, many patients find that severe keratoconus is treated by undergoing a corneal transplant. However, for patients who have mild to moderate keratoconus, there is a FDA approved treatment option available called Corneal Cross-Linking (CXL).
Corneal cross-linking is a procedure that aims to strengthen the cornea while slowing down the effects of keratoconus. CXL does not reverse or fix keratoconus; it is done to halt the progression of the disease and potentially stave off a corneal transplant. CXL is performed in two ways: epithelium-off and epithelium-on.
In epithelium-off CXL, the eye doctor will remove the first layer of the cornea, which is known as the epithelium. Removing the epithelium ensures that treatment is most effective. The epithelium removal process is painless and performed very quickly. When the epithelium has been fully removed, your eye doctor will apply liquid riboflavin drops to the eye. When the drops have been absorbed into your eye, they are then activated by using UV light. During the activation step, you will sit with the light in your eye for an extended period, which will be determined by your eye doctor. Next, a special kind of contact lens will be placed on your eye to help with healing.
When performing epithelium-on CXL, your eye doctor will place the liquid riboflavin over the epithelium. The epithelium is not removed, and the UV light is then used on your eye. When having epithelium-on CXL, you must sit under the UV light for a longer amount of time. This ensures that the liquid will fully penetrate the cornea’s surface.
If you suffer from keratoconus and want to learn more about CXL as a treatment option, please book a consultation with one of our highly qualified cornea experts at Denver Eye Surgeons. If you are suffering from severe keratoconus, you may have progressed too far to be a good candidate for receiving corneal cross-linking. If you have mild to moderate keratoconus, CXL may help you avoid receiving a cornea transplant.
Denver Eye Surgeons has been treating cornea related issues successfully for over 40 years!
Miles was awesome to work with. He really went above and beyond helping me with my prescription glasses and made the whole process easy. You just don’t come across this kind of customer service very often anymore. He’s a great guy and definitely a keeper!
The Doctor's and Staff are truly fantastic. They consistently show they care for their patients.
I was seen by Dr Andrew’s and 2 techs Sarah Jaden Each of these people were extremely helpful to personally tell me they were sorry for the long waiting - and did so in a very personal and caring way even as busy as they were . Leaving me with a relaxed attitude and feeling about being a cared for patient with a comfortable understand of why the appointment took so much of my time.
Denver Eye Surgeons has always been top-of-the-line as far as I’m concerned, all of the staff are friendly, outgoing, helpful, and very kind, the doctors all seem to be top level as well, I’ve never had any complaints and I’ve been going there for years, I hope I can always go there for my eye needs.
Dr Anthony was great! Extremely thorough and explained everything that was happening and answered all my questions!
Kassidy Compton was amazing. Having never worn contacts and not even able to put drops in my eyes without blinking them in, I walked away being able to put in and take out the contacts. She was super positive and patient. Thank you Kassidy! Brandon
I have been going there since 2007 and have been happy with each appointment I have had.
Dr Jones & his entire team were Gold Standard professional in treating my wet macular degeneration. I highly recommend his practice.
I had a very positive experience at Denver Eye Surgeon’s. They were prompt, efficient and very professional. I left, at the completion of testing, feeling very comfortable that my time had been well spent.
Cassidy was knowledgeable and friendly when evaluating my eyes for contacts. And Dr. Purser was very prompt and thorough in examining my eyes. I've always gone to Denver Eye Surgeons and am always pleased with their technology, doctors, and processes!
A very pleasant visit. My technician Monica totally deserves my gratitude for attention to detail. She is a great listener and had answers to my questions. She made me feel comfortable and important; and actually Monica took time with me. I did NOT feel like I was rushed or pushed. Thanks Monica!! Great customer job!!!
Kayla M. did an exceptional job at making me feel comfortable. especially since it was a 1.5 session/ eye exam.
My wife kayleen has had a real positive experience at DW Eye. She appreciates the support she gets from a nurse named Tania. Makes her feel more calm and explains everything to her that’s being done
Tanya was great, she explained the process and I felt very comfortable. Enjoyed meeting Dr.Jones and feel that I am in great hands.
I went today for my annual eye exam. Kayla greeted me and took me for all the preliminary testing. She is very pleasant, explained it all thoroughly and quite professional. They are lucky to have her as an employee.
The waiting area is very nice, big and comfortable. Dr. Andrews and everyone else I dealt with were pleasant and very efficient.
Dr Andrews and his staff are amazing! I got an appointment within 2 days and the whole visit was well organized and very smooth!
What a wonderful place, staff, and location. Dr Crosby was very knowledgeable and professional, truly, top notch. The rest of the staff was just as incredible. I was very pleased with my whole experience. That's coming from a skeptic. I would go back for Dr. Crosby alone, but the rest of the staff were also very helpful. They even tightened my glasses because my 13-month-old decided to bend them a little bit too much 😂. It's that little attention to detail, and the knowledgeable staff like Dr Crosby that made me want to give this place a five star! From the friendly faces at the check-in desk to the delicious coffee machine to the knowledgeable medical staff, and the amazing doctor. All five stars!
Dr. Purser was extremely knowledgeable about patient needs. She was also willing to go above and beyond what I’ve seen most doctors do by helping find a way to reduce drug cost.
Dr Tetrault and his techs were very thorough and although I didn’t get the best news that I was hoping for, my eyes didn’t get any worse. Also, Penny in the optical department was very helpful in getting my glasses!
Kassidy was very thorough, knowledgeable and patient. Certainly an asset to this organization
Always a great experience. We have been clients of DES since we moved to Denver in 1993. Everyone from reception to checkout is 1st rate.
