Keratoconus is a disease of the cornea in which the surface of the eye thins and distorts outwards into an irregular conical shape. This causes visual distortion which is often corrected by contact lenses, or sometimes leads to corneal transplant. Corneal Collagen Cross Linking is an alternative treatment that is proving successful in treating the condition in some cases.

I should start by saying that while corneal collagen cross linking (or C3R) is proving to be an effective treatment in some cases, there are very much limits to when it proves useful.

Typically it is useful in the early stages of the disease, before the cornea becomes too distorted, because it helps to prevent progression of the condition. It is of much less use in more advanced cases because the distortion of the cornea is already too pronounced and halting the progress is not an effective way to restore vision.

Corneal Collagen Cross Linking for Keratoconus is a treatment that uses eye drops of riboflavin which is activated by ultra violet light.

The treatment is fairly quick and straightforward. The surface of the eye is surgically abraded to allow the riboflavin drops to be absorbed into the cornea itself.

The riboflavin drops are then applied and activated by a controlled exposure to ultraviolet light.

This treatment causes new bonds to form between the collagen links in the surface of the eye. This results in increased strength in the cornea, which in turn reduces the likelihood of the cornea distorting outward into the cone shape that is the main characteristic of Keratoconus.

While this may sound like the ‘magic bullet’ for treating Keratoconus it is important to recognise the limitations.

If the cornea already has a pronounced distortion then the treatment is unlikely to be effective.

If the cornea is scarred (either from contact lens abrasion or from corneal hydrops) then this treatment is of limited use.

In patients over around 40 years of age the treatment is not normally recommended as, by this age, the cornea is already stiffening on its own.

Having said that there are some success stories where the use of Corneal Collagen Cross Linking has proven effective, either on its own, or in conjunction to other treatments such as RGP contact lenses, Scleral contact lenses or Intacs (which are Corneal Ring segment inserts).

This treatment may be an option for you, depending on how advanced your Keratoconus is and the general health and stability of your cornea.

If it’s not for you then there are many other options including various types of contact lenses, Intacs and Corneal transplants.

Bifocal reading glasses are reading instruments available for people who might be dealing with near and farsightedness. Unlike single focal reading glasses, these have two lenses on each glass in each pair.

When you have these glasses, you are getting four lenses in all. The top ones are useful when focusing on objects at far distances. An example is when you look at the traffic light across the street. The bottom lenses are necessary for focusing on nearby items like a book or a newspaper.

Many people immediately think of Benjamin Franklin as the creator of bifocal reading glasses. Several history reports show that Franklin created glasses for simultaneous use. Why was this so? Up until that time, many still needed to switch from one pair of glasses to another just to focus better. With just one pair of glasses, people can now see both near and far.

Can I start wearing them even if I am not yet a senior?

Yes, you can. While it’s a common belief that the lenses are only for the elderly, many opticians prescribe this option to people regardless of age. If you suffer from a combination of near and farsightedness, this is the appropriate solution. People with astigmatism may also get the glasses to help improve their vision.

Can I still wear the glasses during work?

It depends on the work and setting. If we are talking about a clerical work, then wearing these will not be a problem. Your optician will recommend it too so you can see what you are doing.

The need will be different if we are talking about working in the construction or heavy industries. If you work as a construction welder, for instance, wearing the glasses can be unsafe since it might fall anytime. Losing the lenses in the middle of the work shift can cause you to commit mistakes. It can also lead to injury or even fatality if worse comes to worst.

What you might need instead are bifocal safety glasses. Bifocal safety glasses are the perfect pair to have if you are working in exposed environments. Many models offer snug fits so it stays in place while you work. Various frameworks also offer colored lenses for those who might need additional aid for certain conditions.

Where can I buy the glasses?

Bifocals are available in local shopping malls and on the Internet. Various malls are home to optical shops that sell a variety of lenses and frames. If you have no time to shop, order online instead. The Internet has various suppliers offering competitive prices for all types of needs.

Ordering through websites is easy especially if you already know the necessary lens grade. All it takes is a few clicks and you are done. Depending on the merchant, you might receive your order within a few days upon payment.

Of course, before ordering you need to inspect the site thoroughly. Check the shipping schedule so you know exactly when you will receive bifocal reading glasses or bifocal safety glasses. Inspect the end user agreement to get an idea on how the supplier will handle your account and financial information.