Corneal cross-linking strengthens your cornea and halts the progression of keratoconus

Discover everything you need to know about cross-linking below

Cross-linking overview

Keratoconus is a congenital eye disease in which the cornea becomes increasingly thinned and deformed into a cone.

This condition progresses steadily, and you will notice an increasing deterioration in your vision.

Corneal transplantation is a last resort treatment. In most cases, we can avoid transplantation with a treatment called cross-linking.

Dr. Victor Derhartunian was an early adopter of the cross-linking method and can use it in combination with laser treatment to improve vision.

Cross-linking suitability criteria

A progressive corneal weakness manifests itself in increasing astigmatism and a steadily changing corneal topography. If the vision is impaired by this process, we can strengthen the cornea with cross-linking.

In the long term, this treatment can often flatten the cornea and making the eye suitable for vision correction treatments such as laser eye surgery.

We can determine your suitability for cross-linking treatment by examining your eyes at your initial assessment.

How cross-linking works

Cross-linking refers to the strengthening of the fibres of the cornea to stabilise the condition. We do this by applying a combination of riboflavin drops (vitamin B2) and UV irradiation.

Although this cannot reverse the disease, it can at least stop it in its existing state. In many cases, we can improve the irregular corneal shape.

Advantages and disadvantages of cross-linking

Cross-linking can stop corneal weakness, which leads to stabilisation of the tissue.

Unfortunately, the treatment cannot improve vision.

To improve the vision, we can combine this procedure with other surgical techniques such as laser eye treatment.

Alternatively, we can fit hard/scleral lenses to help maintain the structure of the cornea.

Cross-linking risks

Cross-linking is now a widely used, safe and effective treatment to stop the progression of keratoconus. In addition to the general operational risks, side effects or complications with this method are unknown.

Cross-linking options and alternatives

Today, the only way to stop keratoconus is with cross-linking. To achieve visual improvement, we recommend the following treatments:

Cross-linking scientific research and results

Cross-linking has been an approved procedure since 2006. Its safety and effectiveness have been confirmed in numerous scientific publications. Medical experts are continuously developing this procedure to improve clinical results.

Fed-up with the limiting nature of glasses and contact lenses?

Choose the option below that sounds most like you to discover your best treatment

Junge Frau mit Brille und Tasse

You’re 20 – 39 and fed-up with glasses and contact lenses

If losing your glasses ever makes you late, if pricey contact lenses eat into your hard-earned money, or if your glasses slip down, fall-off or fog-up, it’s time to find a better solution.

Discover the best treatment to free you from the limitations of glasses and contact lenses…

Lächelnder Mann mittleren Alters mit Brille

You’re 40 – 55+ and reading glasses make you feel old and cumbersome

Are your eyes struggling to keep up with your lifestyle? Maybe you have a pair of glasses for every occasion but when you need them they’re either broken or missing?

Discover the best treatment to free you from the embarrassment and hassle of reading glasses…

Lächelnde Frau mittleren Alters mit Brille

You’re 55 plus and experiencing dull and clouded vision

If your vision is hazy or blurred (even with glasses); if colours appear dull or faded; or if you’re having increasing difficulty seeing at night, it’s likely you have a cataract.

Discover the best treatment to restore your visual clarity (AND remove your need for glasses!)

Junge Frau mit Brille und Tasse

You’re 20 – 39 and fed-up with glasses and contact lenses

If losing your glasses ever makes you late, if pricey contact lenses eat into your hard-earned money, or if your glasses slip down, fall-off or fog-up, it’s time to find a better solution.

Discover the best treatment to free you from the limitations of glasses and contact lenses…

Lächelnder Mann mittleren Alters mit Brille

You’re 40 – 55+ and reading glasses make you feel old and cumbersome

Are your eyes struggling to keep up with your lifestyle? Maybe you have a pair of glasses for every occasion but when you need them they’re either broken or missing?

Discover the best treatment to free you from the embarrassment and hassle of reading glasses…

Lächelnde Frau mittleren Alters mit Brille

You’re 55 plus and experiencing dull and clouded vision

If your vision is hazy or blurred (even with glasses); if colours appear dull or faded; or if you’re having increasing difficulty seeing at night, it’s likely you have a cataract.

Discover the best treatment to restore your visual clarity (AND remove your need for glasses!)

Cross-linking steps

1
The preparation

We first disinfect your facial area and give you a local anesthetic in the form of eye drops. We will then use a special device to fix your eyelids open. All of this is symptom-free and pain-free.

2
The riboflavin drops

First, we remove the top protective layer of the cornea (the epithelium) so that the eye drops can reach the next corneal layer (the stroma). We place the riboflavin eye drops in the eye for 30 minutes.

3
The UV radiation

We then apply UV light to the cornea for 10 minutes.

4
The conclusion

In the final step, we position soft bandage contact lenses to protect the eye after the operation. Drug treatment prevents inflammation and reduces postoperative pain. We will remove the protective lens after a few days.

3 laser eye surgery steps to freedom from glasses & contact lenses

Laser eye surgery in Zurich with leading Lasik surgeons: Gain visual freedom with our method for exceptional laser eye surgery.

Eyelaser Lens Replacement

Contact EyeLaser

Not everyone is suitable for laser eye surgery.

The first step is to find out if your eyes are suitable. Call us or book an appointment online.

EyeLaser consultation

During a free initial consultation, we will thoroughly examine your eyes and take the time to listen to your needs and expectations. Once we’ve found the best treatment for you, you will feel confident and reassured about your next steps.

Enjoy visual freedom

Once we’ve treated you at our state-of-the-art clinic, you’ll admire our handy work as you experience exceptional natural vision – free from the limitations of glasses and contact lenses.

Eyelaser Lens Replacement

Contact EyeLaser

Not everyone is suitable for laser eye surgery.

The first step is to find out if your eyes are suitable. Call us or book an appointment online.

EyeLaser consultation

During a free initial consultation, we will thoroughly examine your eyes and take the time to listen to your needs and expectations. Once we’ve found the best treatment for you, you will feel confident and reassured about your next steps.

Enjoy visual freedom

Once we’ve treated you at our state-of-the-art clinic, you’ll admire our handy work as you experience exceptional natural vision – free from the limitations of glasses and contact lenses.

Eye surgery with Swiss precision

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Quality is in our DNA

Everything we do is optimised down to the very finest detail.

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There’s a right way and a wrong way

The right clinic is not too cheap, too “chain” or too costly. The right clinic is precisely right.

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Superior precision

Our vision correction method leaves no room for disappointment.

Star icon

Quality is in our DNA

Everything we do is optimised down to the very finest detail.

Eye icon

There’s a right way and a wrong way

The right clinic is not too cheap, too “chain” or too costly. The right clinic is precisely right.

Like icon

Superior precision

Our vision correction method leaves no room for disappointment.

Get to know the eye experts

Discover our laser eye surgeons in the heart of Zurich

Dr. Victor Derhartunian
Ophthalmologist, specialist in refractive surgery
FEBO

Having learned his craft from the two pioneers of laser surgery, Dr. Victor Derhartunian is one of the leading surgeons in Europe. The senior eye surgeon at EyeLaser in Zurich can advise his patients in 5 languages.

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Nadine Gerber
Ophthalmologist and eye surgeon
FEBO

Dr. Nadine Gerber has been part of the EyeLaser team since 2018. Together with Dr. Derhartunian, she looks after refractive and general ophthalmological consultations.

Learn more
Dr Dominique Mustur
Ophthalmologist and eye surgeon
FEBO

Dr. Dominique Mustur has been a member of the EyeLaser team since 2019.

Learn more
Dr. Victor Derhartunian
Ophthalmologist, specialist in refractive surgery
FEBO

Having learned his craft from the two pioneers of laser surgery, Dr. Victor Derhartunian is one of the leading surgeons in Europe. The senior eye surgeon at EyeLaser in Zurich can advise his patients in 5 languages.

LEARN MORE
Nadine Gerber
Ophthalmologist and eye surgeon
FEBO

Dr. Nadine Gerber has been part of the EyeLaser team since 2018. Together with Dr. Derhartunian, she looks after refractive and general ophthalmological consultations.

Learn more
Dr Dominique Mustur
Ophthalmologist and eye surgeon
FEBO

Dr. Dominique Mustur has been a member of the EyeLaser team since 2019.

Learn more