Corneal cross-linking is a medical procedure used to treat certain eye conditions such as keratoconus, corneal ectasia and other corneal disorders that cause the cornea to weaken and bulge outward. It involves applying riboflavin eye drops to the cornea and then exposing it to ultraviolet (UV) light for a set period of time.
Riboflavin acts as a photosensitizer, meaning it increases the cross-linking of collagen fibers in the cornea. UV light further strengthens collagen fibers by forming chemical bonds between them, which increases the strength and stability of the cornea.