Collagen Crosslinking ? ? ?

[rkhan19]

HI
Helen you metioned you used the epithelium removal method during your c3r op. What is the epithelium and what is the procedure to have it removed???????????

[John Smith]

The epithelium is the very front layer of the cornea. (The endothelium is the very back layer).

The epithelium is usually removed in an attempt to allow the riboflavin to penetrate the cornea to the stroma (the thick middle layer).

There are various techniques for allowing this, including making a pattern of holes, and also by scraping the layer off with a scalpel.

[helen jones]

Just to add a bit more detail. It involves having your eyelid held apart by a springy sort of gadget / clip and then the scraping is carried out. You don't feel anything apart from a sensation of pressure as you have had anaesthetic drops before hand. The only downer is that you are still awake but you can't actually see what they are doing. I found the drops more annoying than anything as they did sting a bit and also it was very difficult staring straight ahead into the uv light - 60 minutes is a very long time when all you can do is daydream !f I could have shut my eye I think I would have dozed off!1
Helen

[bluesfan]

Helen:

Thanks for the updates, it is really most appreciated considering that you are going through the recovery right now! Do keep those updates coming in whenever you can manage to drop some lines. We are all rooting for you here, and I wish you a speedy and easy recovery!

rkhan19:

Welcome to the group Just a suggestion: perhaps you might want to do a search first
on these forums (just use the "search" button on the upper left hand side of the page and it is really easy!) before posting your questions as I have noticed that the questions that you have been asking have been discussed before in previous posts or in other threads. Preventing repetition can make the forums easier for you and all of us to follow. Just a suggestion!