Columbia, SC, Oct 23, 2023 – The Eye Center is proud to announce that they are now offering iLink™ Cross-Linking, a revolutionary treatment for Keratoconus. Keratoconus is a progressive eye disorder in which the cornea, the clear front portion of the eye, thins and bulges outward in a cone-like shape. This irregular shape prevents light from entering the eye properly and causes distorted vision. Keratoconus can cause blurred vision, increased sensitivity to light, difficulty seeing at night, and frequent changes in eyeglass prescriptions. It is most common in people between 10-25 years old but can occur at any age.

Keratoconus is not fully understood but it is believed to be caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors such as chronic eye rubbing or overexposure to ultraviolet light. It can also be associated with certain medical conditions such as Down syndrome, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and Leber’s congenital amaurosis.

The most common treatment for keratoconus is eyeglasses or contact lenses to correct for the distorted vision caused by the irregular shape of the cornea. In more severe cases, rigid gas permeable contact lenses may be needed to provide better vision correction than regular soft contacts. In some cases, surgery may be recommended to improve vision if other methods are not successful.

One type of surgery used to treat keratoconus is called collagen cross-linking (CXL). CXL involves using riboflavin (vitamin B2) drops combined with ultraviolet A (UVA) light exposure on the cornea to strengthen it and prevent further thinning or bulging outwards. This procedure has been shown to effectively stop further progression of keratoconus in many cases and can even improve vision in some patients.

The iLink™ ™ Cross-Linking procedure from The Eye Center utilizes advanced technology for CXL treatment that has been proven safe and effective for treating keratoconus patients with minimal discomfort or downtime required after treatment. The iLink™ ™ CXL system uses an advanced UV light delivery system that precisely controls the amount of energy delivered during treatment for maximum safety while still providing optimal results. The entire procedure takes about 30 minutes, and no sutures are required afterwards so there is no need for stitches removal after healing has occurred.

The Eye Center’s team of experienced ophthalmologists has extensive experience in diagnosing and treating Keratoconus. Their team utilizes advanced technology such as corneal topography and optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging to diagnose the condition accurately and develop an individualized treatment plan for each patient.

Dr. Matthew Clary, one of the leading ophthalmologists at The Eye Center, says: “Keratoconus can be a very debilitating condition for those who suffer from it, so we are thrilled to be able to offer this innovative treatment option to our patients. We believe that iLink™ Cross-Linking will give our patients hope for maintaining their current level of vision while reducing their risk of further deterioration due to Keratoconus."

Keratoconus can have a significant impact on quality of life but with proper diagnosis and treatment it can be managed successfully so patients can continue living their lives without being hindered by their visual impairment due to this condition. If you think you may have keratoconus or have already been diagnosed with it, consult your ophthalmologist about your options including iLink™ Cross-Linking from The Eye Center which provides safe and effective results without any downtime required afterwards so you can return to your daily activities right away!

Visit: https://www.theeyecentersc.com/services/ilink-cross-linking