Have your eyes been sensitive to light recently, or has your vision been blurry after getting LASIK surgery? You may have a condition called keratoconus, a degenerative disease that causes your cornea to change shape. Leonard Achiron, OD, and David O’Day, MD, at the Atlanta Vision Cataract and Laser Center in Hapeville, Georgia, can treat keratoconus and restore your vision with corneal cross-linking technology. To learn more, call or book an appointment online today.
What is Keratoconus?
When your cornea thins or weakens, it can bulge into a cone shape. This condition is called keratoconus. Your cornea is the clear, protective covering on the front of your eye. The cornea can weaken through natural deterioration and environmental stresses, such as from allergies or rubbing your eyes.
Symptoms of keratoconus:
- Blurred vision
- Light sensitivity
- Excessive tearing
Treating Keratoconus with Corneal Crosslinking (CXL)
When your cornea loses its shape, it needs a strengthening treatment to help its shape return. One procedure used to treat mild to moderate cases of keratoconus is corneal cross-linking (CXL). This treatment can halt the progression of the disease and thicken up your cornea again.
What Happens in a Avedro CXL Treatment?
The FDA-approved Avedro® CXL system offers the latest technology in treating keratoconus. The system eliminates the need to remove any tissue from your eye as you might need done in traditional treatments.
First, your doctor places a liquid vitamin B12 solution on your eye, and your cornea absorbs the solution. Then your doctor aims a soft blue ultraviolet light on your cornea for a set amount of time. During this time, your cornea reacts to the light, creating interconnections between the cornea and the vitamin B12 solution. This process is called corneal cross-linking, and it results in a cornea that is stronger and more resistant to changing shape.
Corneal Crosslinking Recovery
There is no pain, and no downtime is needed when you use the Avedro CXL system. The procedure, which takes place at the offices of Atlanta Vision Cataract and Laser Center, typically takes 30-90 minutes.
You will be able to resume normal activities the next day in most cases. Keratoconus is a degenerative disease, which means you will need follow-up appointments. However, since the Avedro CXL system helps reverse the disease, you will likely need fewer follow-up appointments than you would if you had traditional treatment.
How Can I Avoid Needing Cornea Treatment?
Your cornea can stretch or become misshapen from environmental stresses, such as rubbing your eyes. The best practice to avoid getting keratoconus is to not rub your eyes. If you know you rub your eyes while sleeping, you may want to consider using an eye guard, such as an eye patch, sleeping mask, or goggles.
Drs. Achiron and O’Day offer years of experience diagnosing and treating vision problems. If you want to learn more about how the Avedro CXL system can help you, call or book an appointment with Atlanta Vision Cataract and Laser Center today.