Background
Corneal collagen cross-linking with Riboflavin (Vitamin B2) and long-wave UltraViolet A (UV-A) is a surgical treatment for corneal ectasia. Cross-linking (also called C3-R, CXL, CCL, and KXL) is performed to make the cornea more rigid.
The most common corneal ectasia is keratoconus. Keratoconus has the following characteristics:
See the list below:
generally believed to be non-inflammatory, although there are numerous recent papers published suggesting that there may be an inflammatory component;
progressive corneal ectasia;
increasing irregular astigmatism;
loss of best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and may lead to surgery;
possible scaring and hydrops (acute disruption of Descemet’s membrane in the setting of corneal ectasia);
genetic and environmental causes;
no curative treatment.