What is corneal collagen cross linking (CXL)?

• A minimally invasive intervention for progressive keratoconus
• CXL strengthens the cornea to help prevent further corneal thinning and steepening
• It does not aim to reverse the blurred or distorted vision but attempts to prevent the vision from getting worse

Am I suitable for CXL?

• Recommended for those with progressive keratoconus
• Corneal thickness must be greater than 370 micrometre
• Used at times to treat post LASIK ectasia and pellucid marginal degeneration

How is CXL performed?

• Our clinic uses the Avedro KXL system to perform CXL in room, under local anaesthetic
• The procedure takes approximately 30-45 minutes
• It uses a combination of UVA light therapy and riboflavin (vitamin B2) eye drops, which trigger the formation of covalent bonds between the collagen tissue in the cornea and increase corneal rigidity

What are the expected benefits and limitation of CXL?

• It may slow down or halt keratoconus progression
• The earlier keratoconus is diagnosed, monitored and treated, the better the chances of halting progression
• CXL delays or prevents the need for a corneal transplant
• It may have no effect, or it may worsen your condition
• Contact lenses and glasses will most likely still be needed following CXL

Does CXL work?

• CXL is the only treatment currently available to treat progressive keratoconus
• Clinical trials have shown that keratoconus progression slowed in over 90% of eyes one year after treatment, with over 45% of eyes gaining an improvement in vision

How much does CXL cost?

• CXL is not covered by private health insurance but as of May 2018, patients now benefit from a Medicare rebate of $1200
• The procedure typically costs $2000-$3000 per eye