Corneal collagen cross-linking (C3R) works by linking the collagen fibers in the cornea, which provide most of its strength, using ultra-violet light. C3R works both within and between these fibres to strengthen the whole cornea and so prevent bulging.  In about 70% of treated cases the condition improves and in almost all cases it stabilises. Without treatment about 20% of cases need a corneal transplant. Since the first treatment in 1998 not a single corneal graft (transplant) has been needed in over 1000 patients so long as straightforward guidelines were followed, and these were established in the early research period during the late 1990s. At the LCRS all patients have stabilised or improved.

See more detailed information on www.kcfreedom.org where our consultant surgeon Mr David Jory provides expert advice and explanation in the Drs Office section.

The LCRS also provides other well proven treatments for keratoconus such as Intacs corneal implants to correct the eye by reversible procedures such as  reshaping the cornea, phakic lens implants for higher levels of short sight as well as mini-ARK, limbal relaxing incisions and astigmatic keratotomy.