[Corneal crosslinking as treatment for progressive keratoconus]

Corneal crosslinking (CXL) is a relatively new medical treatment for progressive cases of keratoconus. This disease is characterized by corneal deformation and thinning, leading to corneal surface distortion and visual disability, mainly occurring in young patients. CXL was first applied in humans in 1999 and is internationally considered the standard treatment for cases of rapidly progressing keratoconus. The treatment protocol consists of corneal epithelial removal, the administration of riboflavin eye drops and irradiation with ultraviolet-A light. The primary goal of CXL is to mechanically stabilize and strengthen the cornea. CXL plays an important role in the treatment of keratoconus and may in the future delay or eliminate the need for a corneal transplantation.