Collagen Crosslinking for Keratoconus

Consultations offered at our three convenient locations in Farmington Hills, Garden City and Rochester Hills, MI

Collagen crosslinking for keratoconus is a surgical procedure that uses ultraviolet light and liquid vitamin B2 (riboflavin) to strengthen the cornea and stop keratoconus from worsening. Keratoconus is an eye condition where the clear and dome-shaped front window of your eye, the cornea, begins to thin and gradually bulge outward in a cone shape.

Dr. Mazin Yaldo, a board-certified ophthalmologist and highly trained laser surgeon whose expertise, skill, and reputation have made him a leader in the industry, leads Yaldo Eye Center by utilizing modern technology and techniques to enhance the results in vision correction surgery while catering individually to each patient. Additionally, Dr. Yaldo is fellowship trained and has been a pioneer in advancing LASIK technology.

If you want to learn more about which treatment will be ideal for your eye concerns, contact us online or call our offices in Farmington Hills, Rochester Hills, and Garden City at (248) 553-9800 to schedule your personal consultation.

About Collagen Crosslinking

Collagen crosslinking is a minimally invasive outpatient procedure that strengthens the cornea to stop the progression of thinning eyelids, such as with keratoconus. Collagen is a natural protein structure that provides shape, firmness, and strength to tissues, including the cornea. Traditionally, keratoconus has been described as a noninflammatory disease; however, more recently it has been associated with ocular inflammation. Keratoconus normally develops in the second and third decades of life and progresses until the fourth decade. The condition affects all ethnicities and both sexes. (1) It can be caused by eye rubbing, eczema, asthma, and allergies; these being significant risk factors for developing keratoconus.

Dr. Yaldo utilizes a vitamin B2 eye drop in the eye and then administers a focused beam of UV light. The UV light helps activate the riboflavin, which stimulates the formation of chemical bonds between the collagen fibers, making the tissue stiffer and more stable.

This procedure can help treat keratoconus (thinning of the cornea), corneal ectasia (for post-laser eye surgery and pellucid marginal degeneration), and other eye conditions such as infectious keratitis, corneal melting, and bullous keratopathy.

Benefits

Corneal collagen crosslinking can strengthen the corneal fibers and ultimately halt the progression of keratoconus. Additional benefits include:

  • Reduced need for corneal transplant
  • Increased corneal rigidity
  • Improved contact lens fitting
  • Improved vision for those who are nearsighted and struggle with astigmatism and visual aberrations

Candidates

If you are currently experiencing keratoconus, which may be actively worsening, are 14 or older, have enough corneal thickness to protect the inner lining of the eye from UV light, and if you are in the early stages before severe vision loss or profound corneal scarring occurs, then you may be an ideal candidate for this procedure. This procedure is not ideal if you have severe corneal scarring, have extreme thinning of the cornea, and have any underlying infections or a history of ocular surface disease or ocular herpes. You must also be in relatively good health and hold realistic expectations for your results.

Personal Consultation

During your personal consultation, Dr. Yaldo will evaluate your medical history and thoroughly discuss your eye concerns. He will also perform a comprehensive eye exam to check your visual activity and eye health. To further measure the thickness, shape, and steepness of your cornea, he will use corneal mapping to track whether the keratoconus is actively progressing. He will address any questions or concerns you may have to ensure you feel prepared and confident before undergoing your procedure. Contact us online or call our offices at (248) 553-9800 to schedule your personal consultation.

Preparation

To effectively prepare for your collagen crosslinking for keratoconus procedure, Dr. Yaldo advises that you:

  • Stop wearing contact lenses before your pre-operation evaluation and surgery
  • Schedule the necessary time off for recovery
  • Pick up prescription medications in advance
  • Do not apply any makeup or lotions around your eyes on the day of surgery
  • Wear loose-fitting clothing for your procedure

Procedure

At the beginning of your procedure, you will receive numbing eye drops. You will remain awake throughout treatment, but you will not feel any discomfort. Next, Dr. Yaldo will either gently remove or loosen the thin layer of the cornea so the B2 solution can penetrate the deeper corneal stroma or leave it intact according to the severity of your concerns. (2) Dr. Yaldo will apply liquid riboflavin drops (vitamin B2) repeatedly for about 10 to 30 minutes to saturate the tissue. Next, he will use a specialized device to shine a focused beam of UV-A light onto the cornea for about 30 minutes, which helps activate the riboflavin, creating new chemical bonds between collagen fibers to stiffen the cornea. Following this, Dr. Yaldo will place a soft bandage contact lens over the eye to protect the surface and help it heal.

Recovery

Immediately after your procedure, you will be prescribed eye drops to prevent infection and control inflammation. (3) Your eye may feel gritty, red, or sensitive to the light within the first two to four days, which is completely normal as the surface layer heals. Experiencing initial blurry and fluctuating vision is normal and can take a couple of weeks to stabilize. However, you must avoid rubbing your eyes for at least the first week and plan to take time off work to properly rest.

Results

Collagen crosslinking may halt or slow the progression of keratoconus in 90 to 96% of treated eyes by increasing the corneal stiffness. Additionally, collagen crosslinking may prevent further corneal thinning and steepening, stabilize or improve corneal shape, and improve blurriness or distortion from prior thinning that usually requires specialized contact lenses or glasses. (4) True stabilization and long-term results occur after the one-year mark, which usually ensures that the disease has stopped progressing.

Over the first one to four years, you will be able to experience slight improvements in the corneal shape and gains in the Snellen visual lines, which will remain stabilized long term.

Cost of Collagen Crosslinking for Keratoconus in Farmington Hills, Rochester Hills, and Garden City

The total cost of your collagen crosslinking for keratoconus varies depending on the severity of your keratoconus, the scale of the procedure, and the techniques Dr. Yaldo utilizes. He will provide you with a detailed cost outline during your personal consultation. Contact us online or call any of our office locations at (248) 553-9800 to learn more.

FAQ

What is collagen crosslinking for keratoconus?

Collagen crosslinking is a minimally invasive outpatient procedure that uses ultraviolet light and liquid riboflavin (vitamin B2) to strengthen the corneal fibers and halt the progression of corneal thinning conditions such as keratoconus.

What is keratoconus?

Keratoconus is an eye condition where the clear, dome-shaped front window of the eye (the cornea) progressively thins and bulges outward into a cone shape, causing visual distortion.

What are the benefits of collagen crosslinking?

Key benefits include halting the progression of keratoconus, increasing corneal rigidity, reducing the need for a corneal transplant, improving contact lens fitting, and enhancing vision for patients experiencing nearsightedness, astigmatism, or visual aberrations.

Is collagen crosslinking the only cure for strengthening the cornea?

Collagen crosslinking is a primary, effective treatment designed to strengthen the corneal tissue and stop keratoconus progression; however, suitability depends on individual evaluation by an eye specialist like Dr. Yaldo.

How much does collagen crosslinking cost?

The cost of collagen crosslinking varies depending on the severity of your condition and the specific techniques used. A detailed cost outline is provided during your personal consultation with Dr. Yaldo.

How long is the recovery for collagen crosslinking for keratoconus?

Initial healing of the surface layer occurs within the first two to four days, during which the eye may feel gritty, red, or sensitive to light. Vision may remain blurry or fluctuate for a few weeks before stabilizing. Patients are advised to avoid rubbing their eyes for at least the first week and take time off work to properly rest.

Is collagen crosslinking for keratoconus a minimally invasive procedure?

Yes, collagen crosslinking is a minimally invasive procedure that uses ultraviolet light and liquid vitamin B2 to strengthen the cornea and stop keratoconus from worsening over time.

Can I get LASIK alongside collagen crosslinking for keratoconus?

Generally, LASIK cannot be combined with collagen crosslinking; in essence, the procedures counteract each other. Collagen crosslinking builds new tissue, while LASIK removes tissue, makes changes within the eye, and then closes tissue. However, as one of the nation’s leading ophthalmologists, Dr. Yaldo can help you find a treatment plan that effectively addresses your unique ocular challenges.

References

  1. Santodomingo-Rubido J, Carracedo G, Suzaki A, Villa-Collar C, Vincent SJ, Wolffsohn JS. Keratoconus: An updated review. Contact Lens and Anterior Eye. 2022;45(3):101559. doi:10.1016/j.clae.2021.101559
  2. Papachristoforou N, Ueno A, Ledwos K, Bartuś J, Nowińska A, Karska-Basta I. A Review of Keratoconus Cross-Linking Treatment Methods. Journal of Clinical Medicine. 2025;14(5):1702. doi:10.3390/jcm14051702
  3. Maier P, Reinhard T, Kohlhaas M. Corneal Collagen Cros-Liinking in the Stabilization of Keratoconus. Deutsches Ärzteblatt International. 2019;116(11):184-190. doi:10.3238/arztebl.2019.0184
  4. Jouve L, Borderie V, Temstet C, et al. Corneal collagen crosslinking in keratoconus. J Fr Ophtalmol. 2015;38(5):445-462. doi:10.1016/j.jfo.2014.12.003