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Honestly, I think CXL then laser surgery is probably a preferable treatment to corneal transplants. You’re looking at 6 month recovery time for that.

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CXL isn't useful at all since his vision has stabilized. CXL only halts the progression of the disease.

That's the assumption I've been led to believe by my doctor as well. Doing some searching does show that there's been some discussion of refractive surgery post-CXL, but I can't imagine that putting any more stress on my baggy, distended corneas would be a great idea. >smile<

I'm a little bummed I missed the possibility of CXL. I was diagnosed with KC in 2004, at age 27. I saw a couple specialists at the time, one of whom mentioned trials (in the US, where I am) for a procedure to strengthen and stabilize the cornea using UV light and riboflavin. He felt it was too new and unproven to recommend I explore it.

I was offered the CXL / laser surgery combo by my opthamologist (UK) 6 or 7 years ago, but decided to do neither. Like you, my diagnosis has stabilised with age (first diagnosed 1994) and I don’t want to potentially disturb it.

Post-CXL laser surgery is not always possible. If the cornea's thickness has already degraded too much, lasering would be very risky and lead to tearing.

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