Stephen Turner, MD is now using Corneal Collagen Crosslinking with Riboflavin as a treatment for patients with keratoconus. Recent evidence and studies are showing that Corneal Collagen Crosslinking with Riboflavin strengthens the corneal structure and can help prevent the progression of keratoconus. Corneal Crosslinking for Keratoconus works by increasing collagen crosslinking, giving the cornea greater ability to withstand degeneration that occurs in diseases such as kerataconus. The newly strengthened cornea protects against the bulging out and becoming steep and irregular, consequence of advanced keratoconus.
Keratoconus is a disease of the cornea that occurs in about 1 in 2000 Americans. It manifests as the cornea become weak and loses its shape, gradually causing a blurred image on the retina. Generally, it is the bottom half of the cornea that becomes distorted and vision loss first presents itself as irregular astigmatism. At first glasses or contact lenses can correct for this distortion but in advanced stages of keratoconus, glasses and contact lenses are much less effective. Although keratoconus causes irregular astigmatism, most forms of astigmatism are not related to keratoconus and are simply the effects of a slightly oval shaped cornea. In the early stages of keratoconus (forme fruste keratoconus), optometrists can often assist a patient by prescribing glasses or contact lenses. Some contact lenses have been designed to specifically help those who suffer from keratoconus. Advanced stages of keratoconus require surgical intervention to obtain good vision.
Corneal Crosslinking with Riboflavin for keratoconus is performed at Turner Eye Institute. During this advanced treatment, riboflavin drops are applied to the surface of the cornea. These drops will absorb into the cornea and are used to trigger the crosslinking inside the corneal stroma. The riboflavin drops are activated by exposure to low doses of ultraviolet light under carefully measured treatments by Dr. Stephen Turner. Clinical studies are showing that the keratoconus treatment increases the amount of collagen cross-linking in the cornea in order to strengthen the cornea. In studies at clinics in Europe, Asia, and America, keratoconus treatments with riboflavin were demonstrated to be both safe and effective for keratoconus patients.
Dr. Stephen Turner is combining riboflavin treatment and Intacs surgery to provide the highest level of treatment for keratoconus patients in the San Francisco bay Area. Dr. Stephen Turner’s extensive experience with keratoconus and specialty in corneal treatments provide an excellent opportunity for patients with keratoconus to have the best chance of good vision.
Riboflavin treatment could also be a treatment option for a rare complication of LASIK known as corneal ectasia. This complication occurs in fewer than 1 in 10,000 treatments and has become even more rare with advances in LASIK treatments. Dr. Stephen Turner’s Thin Flap TF LASIK is effective at preventing the rare complication from occurring.