Corneal Collagen Cross-Linking in the Military: A Game Changer

One of the reasons why one gets denied refractive surgery such as LASIK, PRK or SMILE is keratoconus (KCN). It is an eye condition wherein the front part of the eye (cornea) gradually thins out and bulges causing irregularity in the shape of the eye resulting to blurry vision. It has been reported to occur in about 1 to 2 persons for every 1000 in the population. It typically happens in young adults who are in the late teens or twenties. Eye rubbing, sleep apnea, asthma, allergy, eczema, vernal conjunctivitis, floppy eyelid syndrome, connective tissue disorders, and a family history of KCN have been linked to the development of this condition. Historically, the main treatment for KCN was contact lenses when eyeglasses were not sufficient to correct the blurry vision until the condition further progresses and corneal transplantation is needed.