Corneal collagen cross-linking is a treatment for keratoconus. In corneal coss-linking, doctors use eyedrop medication and ultraviolet (UV) light from a special machine to strengthen the tissues in your cornea. The procedure involves applying specially formulated riboflavin (vitamin B2) eyedrops to your cornea, which allow it to better absorb light. After about 30 minutes, you’ll look up at a light while lying back in a chair. The entire treatment takes about 60-90 minutes.
The procedure doesn’t reverse cornea changes that have already happened – it just keeps them from getting worse. Since it can help slow progression, it’s best to talk to your doctor sooner than later if you have keratoconus.