How to prepare yourself well for a Cross-Linking surgery?

Cross-linking (CXL) is used for instance in the treatment of keratoconus. The procedure is preceded by a qualifying examination during which an ophthalmic surgeon thoroughly checks all the necessary parameters, including the stage of keratoconus. This allows for the selection of the most appropriate method for a given patient – Epi-On (without the removal of the corneal epithelium) or Epi-Off (with the removal of the epithelium).

During the qualifying examination, apart from taking a detailed medical history, the doctor conducts a corneal topography test and assesses the thickness of the cornea, corrected and uncorrected visual acuity, and aberrometry.

Once the patient is positively qualified for the procedure, a treatment date is set. The whole procedure, including the preparation and the rest afterwards, takes approximately one hour. The follow-up appointment is scheduled a week after the procedure.

What should you remember about before the procedure?

• Contact lenses – you should stop wearing soft contact lenses at least 7 days before the one-day procedure. In the case of hard or toric lenses (the latter being cylindrical lenses that correct astigmatism), the break from wearing them should be longer – minimum 3 weeks up to a month.
• Medical certificate from a specialist – if you suffer from any chronic diseases, it is necessary to provide a medical certificate that contains information regarding the medications you take and their dosage, as well as attests to the stability of the disease.
• Contraception should not be stopped prior to the procedure and should be continued for at least three months afterwards.
• It is not allowed to drink any alcoholic beverages for at least 24 hours before the procedure.

Recommendations to follow on the day of the procedure

• The body should be free from any infections (such as a cold or herpes).
• The face has to be thoroughly cleansed and no perfumed cosmetics (perfumes, spray deodorants, perfumed bodily or facial gels) should be used.
• No make-up or eyelash extensions are allowed.
• It is recommended to have an accompanying person as it is not allowed to drive any vehicles after the procedure.

Post-treatment recommendations

• It is not allowed to drive a vehicle until the first follow-up appointment (scheduled a week after the procedure).
• Air travel is not advised earlier than 3-4 days after the procedure.
• No eye beauty products or make-up should be used for the first two weeks after the procedure, and eyelash extensions should not be worn for approximately a month.
• You must not rub your eyes for the first week following the treatment, even with the eyelids closed.
• For the first 7 nights you should wear special eye shields.
• The time you spend in front of a computer or smartphone screen should be limited to the absolute minimum during the first week after the procedure.
• For the first 3-4 weeks, it is highly recommended to wear protective sunglasses when outdoors.
• It is not allowed to use a sauna or bathe in any natural or artificial water reservoirs.
• Intense physical effort (working out in the gym, weight-lifting) is not allowed. Mild cardio exercises can be practised approximately 10 days after the treatment.
• You should avoid staying in dusty or smoky environments.
• Eye drops provided by the Ophthalmologic Centre should be administered according to the doctor’s recommendations.

Do you feel that spectacle correction does not bring the desired result and contact lenses are increasingly more difficult to use? Does driving a car at dusk seem problematic due to the halo effect around oncoming lights? These may be the symptoms of developing keratoconus. Make an appointment for the examination qualifying for the keratoconus treatment and find out if you are eligible for the Cross-linking procedure. The current prices of particular examinations and procedures are always available in our pricelist.

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