Saturday, January 24, 2009

keratoconus news

There is a promising new procedure for those suffering from keratoconus. Corneal collagen cross-linking using riboflavin involves putting vitamin-A drops in the eye and exposing it to ultraviolet light for a period of time. Unfortunately it is not a cure but a means to stabilize the cornea to prevent further damage and possibly eliminate the need for transplant. The procedure improves corneal rigidity by over 300%. While some undergoing the procedure note some improvement of vision, the purpose is to halt the progression of the disease. It is not mainstream in the US but I am following the procedure closely and will bring it to my keratoconus patients when it becomes available.

-DrS

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