Collagen cross-linking A new treatment for keratoconus

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Keratoconus is a condition in which the biomechanical strength of the cornea's collagen fibres is reduced to about half their normal strength, causing the cornea to bulge forward in a conical shape, with an off-centre apex.

This change in shape of the cornea results in high levels of irregular astigmatism, which is initially corrected with spectacles but, as the disease progresses, the astigmatism increases and requires correction with specialist contact lenses. Eventually, if the keratoconus becomes very advanced, some patients will require a corneal graft.