Keratoconus Treatment in Turkey (Corneal Cross-Linking)
Keratoconus is a condition in which the cornea gradually becomes thinner and bulges into a cone shape. It usually starts in the teens or twenties and causes increasing short-sightedness and irregular astigmatism that glasses correct less and less well. Many people first learn they have it when they are examined for laser eye surgery.
At LASIK Istanbul, keratoconus is assessed and treated by ophthalmologist Op. Dr. Alim Huseynov. Treatment has two separate goals: stopping the condition from getting worse, and improving vision.
Medically reviewed by Op. Dr. Alim Huseynov · Last reviewed 12 November 2026
🔍 Corneal Cross-Linking (CXL)
Cross-linking is the only treatment shown to slow or stop the progression of keratoconus. Riboflavin (vitamin B2) drops are applied to the cornea, which is then exposed to a measured dose of ultraviolet-A light. The reaction creates new bonds between collagen fibres and stiffens the cornea.
In the standard "epithelium-off" method the thin surface layer of the cornea is removed first so that the riboflavin can penetrate. The treatment takes roughly 30 to 60 minutes depending on the protocol, is done under anaesthetic drops, and ends with a bandage contact lens that stays in place for several days.
Cross-linking is intended to preserve the vision you have. Some patients gain a little corneal flattening over the following year, but it is not a procedure for getting rid of glasses or contact lenses.
Who Needs Treatment?
Cross-linking is recommended when keratoconus is progressing, which is shown by a change in corneal mapping, corneal thickness or prescription between examinations. In children and teenagers progression is often fast, so treatment is usually advised soon after diagnosis.
The cornea needs to be thick enough for the standard protocol; for thinner corneas modified protocols exist, and the doctor will explain whether one of them applies to you. Cross-linking is generally not performed during pregnancy or in eyes with central corneal scarring or active infection.
If you have corneal maps from previous years, please send them. Earlier measurements are the most reliable way to judge whether your keratoconus is stable or progressing. Rubbing the eyes is a known aggravating factor and should be avoided, and any allergy that causes itching should be treated.
Improving Vision, Recovery and Risks
Once the cornea is stable, vision can be improved in several ways: glasses in early stages, rigid gas-permeable or scleral contact lenses for irregular corneas, intracorneal ring segments to make the cone more regular, and in advanced cases with scarring, a corneal transplant. Standard LASIK is not suitable for eyes with keratoconus because it weakens the cornea further.
After epithelium-off cross-linking, pain, watering and light sensitivity are common for the first two to four days, until the surface has healed. Vision is often blurrier than before for several weeks and then recovers gradually; the cornea continues to remodel for months.
Possible complications include infection, delayed surface healing, corneal haze or scarring and, in a small number of patients, continued progression that needs a repeat treatment. Follow-up corneal mapping is recommended at intervals during the first year and then yearly; this can be done by an ophthalmologist in your home country.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions About Keratoconus Treatment
1. Does cross-linking cure keratoconus?
No. It stabilises the cornea in most treated eyes so that the condition stops getting worse, but it does not return the cornea to a normal shape. Glasses or contact lenses are usually still needed afterwards.
2. Is cross-linking painful?
The treatment itself is done under anaesthetic drops. With the epithelium-off method the eye is sore, watery and light-sensitive for the first few days afterwards, and painkillers and drops are prescribed for this period.
3. Are both eyes treated at the same time?
Keratoconus usually affects both eyes, often to different degrees. Whether the eyes are treated together or one after the other depends on the findings and is decided at the examination.
4. How long should I stay in Istanbul?
You should plan to stay until the corneal surface has healed and the bandage contact lens has been removed, which usually takes several days. We will confirm the exact plan after reviewing your records.
5. When can I wear contact lenses again?
Contact lenses can normally be worn again once the surface has fully healed and the doctor has checked the eye, typically after a few weeks. Because the corneal shape can change after cross-linking, lenses often need to be refitted.
6. Can I have laser eye surgery after cross-linking?
Standard LASIK is not recommended in keratoconus. In selected stable cases a limited surface laser treatment or an implantable lens (ICL) may be discussed to reduce the prescription, but this is decided individually.
7. Is keratoconus hereditary?
It runs in some families, so close relatives, especially children and siblings of a person with keratoconus, may benefit from a corneal mapping examination.
8. How much does cross-linking cost in Turkey?
The cost depends on whether one or both eyes are treated and on the protocol used. Please contact us for the current price.