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Corneal Crosslinking
 Treatements
  Corneal Crosslinking

Keratoconus is an ocular condition characterized by progressive thinning and steepening of the central cornea, resulting in increasing myopia, irregular astigmatism, and eventual loss of best spectacle-corrected visual acuity. Rigid contact lenses can be used to improve visual acuity in many patients, but keratoconus can progress to the point that corneal transplantation might be required to restore useful vision.


Corneal cross-linking treatment aims at arresting and delaying the progression of Keratoconus. The treatment involves Riboflavin-UVA assisted photopolymerisation of corneal stroma which releases oxygen free radicals that induce chemical bonds between collagen fibrils resulting in increased biomechanical strength of the cornea. The procedure is undertaken under a local anaesthetic on a day care basis. Clinical studies have shown that the treatment significantly delays the progression of keratoconus, rendering the corneas stronger with improved vision. Long term follow up of up to 8 years have published on treatment stability and safety and UK NICE approved its use since 2009 and updated in 2013. This treatment which offers new hope to Keratoconus patients is available in Cambridge. For further information and patient referrals, please contact Professor Rajan, our lead Cataract and Cornea Specialist.

Treatment options
Cataract surgery
Lens replacement surgery
Premium Intraocular lens
Flower
Femtosecond laser assisted surgery
Flower
Corneal transplantation

FAQ

 Keratoconus is a progressive condition and the only evidence based treatment so far is corneal crosslinking to delay the worsening of vision and the condition. Patients with Keratoconus experience worsening of the condition in the teen years up to the early thirties and then the condition stables itself closer to forty years of age. Therefore it is important to detect Keratoconus at the earliest and delay its progression during the early years in order to preserve vision during the later years. Eye lid rubbing is known to cause worse effects on the already delicate Keratoconus cornea and therefore should be avoided. Once the Keratoconus is stable and post corneal crosslinking, one could consider femtolaser assisted kerarings to improve visual function. In severe cases, corneal transplantation could rescue vision in patients with advanced cone, contact lens intolerance and scarring.

You initial visit to see Mr Rajan could be arranged by calling the appointments booking line 01223 266990 at the Spire Cambridge Lea Hospital. Please read the following prior to your visit and bring along A. Spectacles and spectacle prescription from your optometrist B. If you are a contact lens wearer and requiring cataract surgery, then you need to ensure that you had not used your contact lenses for 1 week for soft lenses and 2 weeks for rigid gas permeable lenses prior to your visit. This is aimed at getting accurate measurements of your eye during the consultation visit. You could bring your contact lenses in a contact lens case. C. Your routine medication list and GP referral letter if possible. A GP letter is not mandatory to initiate an eye consultation but always helpful. D. Please allow 1.30 hours for your consultation which would involve various eye tests and biometry by the clinic team prior to seeing Mr Rajan. Your pupils are likely to be dilated with eye drops during the first consultation, so it is not advisable to drive a car or motor vehicle following consultation on the same day. Please make your own arrangements for travel prior to planning a consultation. Mr Rajan will meet you in his consultation room and go through your visual difficulties, He will undertake a detailed eye exam and will discuss treatment options with you on the visit, followed by a written letter to describe the diagnosis and treatment advice. This letter will be copied to your GP and optometrist to benefit you for shared care management of your eye condition in future and for your GP records.
Surgery You will be given a time for admission to the day case unit at Spire Cambridge Lea Hospital. You shouldn’t be driving yourself to this surgery appointment. The nurses at the surgery day case unit will receive you and prepare the eye with appropriate eye drops. Mr Rajan will see you prior to surgeryand complete the consent process. The surgery will take place in the operating theatre under local anaesthetic and sometimes a general anaesthetic might be required based on individual patient profile. If you require a general anaesthetic, this will be discussed and arranged for at the pre-assessment stage with instructions for fasting etc. Mr Rajan will undertake the procedure for you and the nurses will provide all post opinstructions with eye drops prior to discharge from the hospital. Please allow 4-6 hours for the surgery appointment and plan your travel arrangements. If you have a planned in patient stay in the hospital over night, you will be discharged the following day with advice and medications. Post operative period You will receive a post operative appointment to see Mr Rajan within a few days following surgery and during this visit, Mr Rajan will undertake vision and eye examination to ensure that you are recovering well following surgery. You will be advised to use eye drops as per the prescription for up to 4 weeks. It is common to expect blurred vision in the first 48 hours following surgery and vision will gradually improve over 2-3 weeks period. During this time, it is advisable to avoid any visual strain such as prolonged reading, driving or computer use. Regular application of eye drops is essential with good hygiene. There should be no pressure on the operated eye such as eye lid rubbing. You will be given an advice line to the ward and secretary (01223 266940 or 01223 266913) to call for any postoperative concerns and Mr Rajan will advice you accordingly.
What our patients say
 
Phone:
01223 266 913
info@cambridgevisionclinic.org
 
About Us

Cambridge Vision Clinic based in Cambridge, UK features an excellent team of eye care professionals offering a personalised, safe approach to patients with cataract and eye disorders for over 10 years.

CAMBRIDGE VISION CLINIC

Email: info@cambridgevisionclinic.org
Phone: 01223 266 913
Fax: 01223 266 958