Corneal Collagen Crosslinking with Riboflavin (C3-R) is a developing
technique to cause the cornea to become more stiff. The process is
relatively simple. Light of a specific wavelength is introduced to the
corneas that are flooded with a riboflavin solution. The riboflavin
keeps the light from damaging the endothelium (back layer of the
cornea) or reaching the retina through absorption.

Theo Seiler, MD has been working on this for several years. I attended
the first Corneal Crosslinking Congress in Zurich about three years
ago. Several studies from throughout the world were presented. A
review of the current information shows that C3-R does cause a
stiffening of the cornea, but not always.

Keratoconus is a naturally occurring disease that cause the cornea to
become weak and thin. C3-R is used to slow or halt the progression of
the disease and support the weakened cornea.

Intacs (intra-corneal ring segments) have been found to stabilize
corneas with Keratoconus and resolve some of the resulting
astigmatism. The manufacturer has received FDA approval of the use of
Intacs for keratoconus treatment. Intacs is the surgical treatment of
choice in the US for keratoconus.

Many patients who had Radial Keratotomy (RK) are experiencing a shift
toward hyperopia (farsighted, longsighted) vision and daily
fluctuation in visual acuity. Small case studies have shown increased
stability in refractive error after C3-R.

There is some controversy with the C3-R light application device. The
US manufacturer suggests that the procedure is fully under the "scope
of medicine" rules and the light-emitting goggles do not require FDA
approval. There is one US surgeon who performs C3-R, after extensive
informed consent and waiver. It appears that other doctors are not so
brave and are waiting for clarification on the issues.

C3-R is available in several other countries.

We have a detailed article about C3-R on our website:
http://www.usaeyes.org/lasik/faq/c3r-crosslinking.htm

There are many mentions of C3-R in our Lasik forum:
http://www.googlesyndicatedsearch.com/u/CRSQA?q=c3-r

Glenn Hagele
Executive Director
USAEyes (TM)
Patient Advocacy Surgeon Certification

"Consider and Choose With Confidence" (TM)

Email to glenn dot hagele at usaeyes dot org

http://www.USAEyes.org

Lasik Bulletin Board
http://www.USAEyes.org/Ask-Lasik-Expert/

I am not a doctor.

Copyright 2007
All Rights Reserved

If everyone who lurked here could find a current article about Lasik,
we could probably start some good discussions. I found this article
quite interesting:

http://www.expressindia.com/latest-n...spital/231007/

Regards,
Linda