Corneal Collagen Crosslinking with Riboflavin – C3-R Treatment at Brar Eye Hospital.

Corneal collagen crosslinking with riboflavin (C3-R) is the only non-surgical treatment that is proven to prevent the progression of keratoconus, and it may even be able to reverse the condition to some extent. Developed in Europe in the late 1990s, C3-R has now proven itself in international clinical studies and is approved throughout the European Union for the treatment of keratoconus. Brar eye hospital is pleased to offer corneal collagen crosslinking with riboflavin (C3-R) for his keratoconus patients as a treatment that is both effective and non-surgical.

What is keratoconus?

Keratoconus is a progressive condition affecting the cornea of the eye. The cornea is the clear window in front of the eye. It is a curved structure. The precise shape of the curve allows it to act as a lens, projecting an image into the eye. The cornea is made up of bundles of a protein called ‘collagen’. These bundles are normally held tightly together by chemical links between the collagen strands. This ensures that the shape of the cornea is constant. The problem with the keratoconic cornea is that the normal chemical links between collagen strands are deficient, causing the cornea to be unusually elastic. The pressure inside the eye then pushes the cornea into a distorted, conical shape. This spoils the quality of the image projected into the eye, and the vision becomes progressively blurred.

Keratoconus affects about 1 in 7000 people

 

How does C3-R help?

Corneal collagen crosslinking with riboflavin causes the formation of normal chemical links between the collagen protein strands in the cornea. This makes the cornea more rigid and can stop the keratoconus from progressing. The treatment may even cause the keratoconus to reverse to some extent.

C3-R may prevent the need for contact lenses if performed early on. Even where contact lenses are already needed, C3-R can eliminate the need for corneal transplantation. No other treatment for keratoconus can offer this; C3-R is unique.

Current evidence is that the effects of treatment are permanent.

 

Who is suitable for C3-R?

Almost anyone with progressive keratoconus is potentially suitable. Patients with very advanced keratoconus or whose vision is already spoiled by scarring will usually not be good candidates for the procedure.

The earlier the treatment is done, the better, but C3-R can still be beneficial decades after keratoconus has begun to develop. To find out how you might benefit from corneal collagen crosslinking with riboflavin (C3-R), contact our Hospital today.

How is C3-R keratoconus treatment performed?

At Brar Eye Hospital, C3-R keratoconus treatment is a painless, outpatient procedure. It involves absorbing riboflavin eye drops into the cornea and then bathing the surface of the eye in a very specific wavelength of light. The combination of the light and riboflavin causes chemical bonds to form within the cornea, increasing its rigidity and stability.