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!
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.
Dr Crosby did a good job in explaining to me how to treat my dry eye condition. The Dr also suggested I see a cataract specialist to have my right eye corrected.
I hit 2 as far as satisfaction when I meant to type 1- sorry- service was wonderful, the doctor & staff were winderful. Professional & efficient. No complaints at all!
Dr Tetrault has managed my glaucoma for many years and he and the staff there have provided excellent care at every appointment. I feel confident I am receiving the best care possible and highly recommended him and Denver Eye Surgeons. We have my step daughter going there now to deal with macular degeneration.
The female surgeon I saw was very professional and gave me information about my eye that should have been given at my last visit about a spot on back of my eye. She was informative and thorough.
The staff and the doctor I saw for my upcoming cataract surgery was fantastic they were polite courteous and answered every question that I had I'm getting my first cataract surgery done next month
I recently saw Claire Purser, OD and Kassidy Campton, contac lens technician at Denver Eye Surgeons. They were both professional, knowledgeable and personable. Took time to answer all questions. The entire staff at the office deserve 5 star ratings.
I want to commend Kayla M. for her care and understanding with patients during check in. She is always cheerful and calm, never rushing anyone. A true professional!
They have taken excellent care of our eyes for years! I am confident they know what they are doing. The appointments are easy to schedule and there are plenty of comfortable chairs to wait for your appointment. The waiting time is brief. We are always satisfied!
Incredible customer service!!! Everyone was engaging, kind, supportive and professional ~all the way from the front desk, visit, exit. Dr Noguchi was excellent- bedside manner, medical intervention, demeanor. He is a world class physician and a classy gentleman. Thank you all for treating me like family
