Specialty Eye Care
Corneal Cross Linking Co-Management
Corneal cross linking uses riboflavin drops and controlled ultraviolet light to strengthen the collagen bonds within the cornea, halting keratoconus progression. It is performed by a corneal surgeon, with candidacy assessment and follow up care provided here.
In short
The one procedure that stops progression. Assessed and followed up here, performed by a surgeon.
Specialty lenses restore vision but do nothing to stop the cornea continuing to change. Cross linking is the only widely available treatment that addresses progression itself, which makes the timing of it genuinely important. It preserves the cornea you have. It does not recover the cornea you had.
That is why documented progression matters so much. Comparing today's topography and pachymetry against a baseline recorded a year ago is what establishes whether the condition is actively progressing and therefore whether cross linking is indicated. Patients who have never had a baseline recorded cannot answer that question, which is an argument for getting mapped early.
The procedure itself is performed by a corneal surgeon. What happens here is the assessment that determines candidacy, the referral, and the post procedure care including the lens refitting that is almost always needed afterwards as the corneal shape settles.
Our process
Progression assessment60 to 90 minutes
Topography and pachymetry compared against previous measurements to establish whether the cornea is actively changing.
Candidacy discussionsame visit
Corneal thickness, degree of scarring and rate of progression all bear on suitability, and are explained directly from your own maps.
Surgeon referralas scheduled
Referral to a corneal surgeon, with your imaging and history sent across.
Post procedure caremonths following
Healing is monitored and corneal shape is remapped as it settles.
Lens refitting3 to 6 months after
Corneal shape usually changes after cross linking, so specialty lenses are refitted to the new topography.
What this does not do
- Cross linking halts progression. It does not restore vision already lost or remove the need for specialty lenses.
- Adequate corneal thickness is required. Very thin corneas may not be candidates.
- The procedure is not performed at this office.
Questions and answers
Will cross linking mean I no longer need lenses?
Usually not. It stabilises the cornea rather than regularising it, so specialty lenses generally remain the route to good vision. Some patients see a modest flattening over time.
How do I know if I need it?
Documented progression is the key indicator, which is why baseline mapping matters. Younger patients progress faster and are assessed more urgently.
Is it painful?
The procedure involves removing the corneal surface layer in the standard technique, and the first few days of healing are genuinely uncomfortable. Your surgeon will manage that, and the discomfort is short lived.
What happens to my lenses afterwards?
They will almost certainly need refitting once the cornea has settled, typically three to six months after the procedure, because the shape they were made for will have changed.
Talk to someone about corneal cross linking co-management
Appointments are scheduled two per hour, so there is time to answer questions properly. Call (480) 706-3937 or request a time online.