Photochemical corneal collagen cross‑linkage using riboflavin and ultraviolet A for keratoconus and keratectasia

The condition

Keratoconus is an eye disease in which the surface of the cornea becomes thinner and begins to bulge into a cone-like shape so eyesight is blurred and distorted. It usually affects children and young adults and can get worse over time. Keratectasia affects the eye in a similar way, but is caused by medical treatment, for example laser eye surgery.

Glasses, contact lenses or implanting an artificial lens may help but in severe cases surgery may be needed. NICE has looked at corneal collagen cross‑linking as another treatment option. Click on to the next page to find out more.