Holcomb C3-R® treatment

If you are living with keratoconus, a progressive non-inflammatory eye disorder that causes a cone-like steepening of the cornea, you know how important it is to get treatment so that you can get back to your normal routine. Keratoconus damages your vision and makes it impossible to focus without the assistance of eyeglasses or contacts. Luckily, there is a treatment option that is non-invasive and helps address the issue.

Holcomb C3-R® treatment is the first non-invasive corneal crosslinking procedure for keratoconus and works by numbing the area before applying a solution that contains riboflavin and other compounds to your cornea. Once activated by a special UVA light it helps stabilize weakened links in the cornea collagen fiber, which allows most patients to see results in one treatment.

The benefits include being able to return to work the next day thanks to faster recovery time and no need for steroid eye drops after the procedure. In comparison, CXL treatment can take up to three months to heal and patients usually miss one to two weeks of work due to discomfort and pain. With the CXL treatment you also will have to wait 3 months to resume wearing contacts and have 2-13 weeks of steroid eye drop use until the outer layer of the cornea can heal. Corneal transplant has even more of an impact on your recovery, with an invasive and painful procedure that can take up to six months or a year for you to heal and wear contacts as normal.

With Holcomb C3-R® treatment, there is virtually no risk of complication. However, some patients report mild irritation in their eyes for a few days while most do not. You may experience haziness in vision for the remainder of the day following the procedure, but you can resume wearing contacts the next day. In the end, it is an excellent option for those with keratoconus to help improve eye strength moving forward.