Keratoconus and corneal collagen cross-linking

Keratoconus, a degenerative disorder of the cornea, causes significant visual distortion and photophobia. Diagnosed in early life, it has a considerable influence on the patient’s daily activities and visual needs. A study of the rural population in Central India gave a prevalence of 2.3% +/0.2% among those aged 30 years and above.[1] The conventional treatment of keratoconus has been the fitting of contact lenses and surgical treatments such as keratoplasty and intrastromal corneal ring segments. In spite of these therapies, the condition can be progressive and hence distressing to the patient.