Corneal Cross-Linking. Stabilize the cornea. Protect the future.
An advanced, minimally invasive procedure that uses riboflavin and controlled UV light to strengthen the cornea - helping halt progressive keratoconus and other corneal ectasia before they limit your vision-correction options.
- 20/Happy Patient Guarantee
- Dr. Shehzad Batliwala, Board-Certified
- Aftercare included
- FSA/HSA + 0% APR financing
- Riboflavin + UVCorneal strengthening
- 60 minIn-office procedure
- HaltsDisease progression
- OutpatientNo incisions
Medically reviewed by Dr. Shehzad Batliwala, DO, MGM · Board-Certified Ophthalmologist
Corneal Cross-Linking in Plano, TX · Serving Plano, Allen, Frisco, McKinney, Dallas & the North Dallas area
Who Corneal Cross-Linking is for.
You may be a great fit if any of these sound familiar.
- Progressive keratoconus
- Pellucid marginal degeneration
- Post-LASIK ectasia
- Unexplained corneal thinning
- Younger patients (best window)
- Second opinion for keratoconus progression
We may recommend something else if…
- Stable, non-progressive cornea
- Active corneal scarring
- Cornea too thin for safe Rx
- Active eye infection
None of these are deal-breakers, they're reasons to look at the alternatives. We'll tell you straight at consultation.
Free 60-minute consult · If you're not a fit, we'll tell you.
How Corneal Cross-Linking works.
- 01Step 01
Map the cornea and confirm the diagnosis
Corneal mappingDetailed corneal topography documents the shape and thickness of your cornea and confirms progressive keratoconus or ectasia. These baseline maps also become the reference we use afterward to verify the cornea has stabilized.
- 02Step 02
Prepare the surface and apply riboflavin
Vitamin B2 dropsAfter numbing drops, the cornea's thin outer epithelial layer is gently prepared so the treatment can reach the tissue beneath. Riboflavin (vitamin B2) drops are then applied and allowed to fully saturate the cornea - this is what makes the next step possible.
- 03Step 03
Activate with controlled UV-A light
Riboflavin + UVA precisely controlled dose of UV-A light is shone onto the riboflavin-soaked cornea. The light activates the riboflavin, triggering the formation of new chemical bonds between collagen fibers - 'cross-links' that stiffen and reinforce the cornea from within.
- 04Step 04
Protect the eye while it heals
OutpatientA soft bandage contact lens is placed for comfort while the surface heals over the following days. The newly strengthened cornea resists further thinning - halting progression and preserving your future LASIK or ICL eligibility once stability is documented.
Questions about the procedure? We'll walk you through all of it.
What to expect, start to finish.
- Step 0160 min
Diagnosis
Detailed corneal mapping confirms keratoconus or another condition that responds to CXL. We document baseline measurements.
- Step 0230 min
Procedure prep
On the day of treatment we apply numbing drops, gently remove the corneal epithelium, and begin riboflavin saturation.
- Step 0330 min
UV exposure
A precisely calibrated UV-A light activates the riboflavin and triggers cross-linking. The session lasts about 30 minutes total.
- Step 041 week
Healing & follow-up
A bandage contact lens protects the cornea for the first week. Long-term scans verify stabilization.
Your map, your candidacy, your plan — in one visit.
Clear costs. Real options.
One honest, all-in number — no surprises. Most patients use FSA / HSA, insurance, or 0% APR financing. Our Affordability page walks through every option in plain English.
Why we don't discount Corneal Cross-Linking
CXL is often insurance-covered once keratoconus is documented. We verify your benefits before you commit and quote any out-of-pocket portion in writing - no surgery-day surprises.
What patients say
Will CXL improve my vision?
CXL's primary purpose is stabilization, not improvement. Some patients see a modest improvement in vision over time, but the main benefit is preventing further loss.Is CXL covered by insurance?
Many insurance plans now cover CXL for keratoconus. We verify benefits as part of your evaluation and walk you through any out-of-pocket costs.How long until I can see normally again?
Most patients return to baseline vision within 1-2 weeks. The healing process is gentler than LASIK's surface ablation.Can I have LASIK after CXL?
Sometimes, once we document stable corneas for 12+ months. CXL can preserve future eligibility that progressive keratoconus would otherwise eliminate.How urgent is this if my keratoconus was just diagnosed?
Generally, the sooner the better, especially in patients under 30. We'll make a personalized recommendation based on your imaging and your age.When should I see a keratoconus specialist in Plano?
Schedule an evaluation if your astigmatism is changing, glasses no longer sharpen vision, contact lenses are harder to tolerate, or another eye doctor mentioned corneal thinning. The key question is whether the keratoconus is progressing.How much does corneal cross-linking cost?
Corneal cross-linking cost depends on insurance coverage and whether progressive keratoconus is documented. Many plans cover medically necessary CXL, and we verify benefits before treatment.
Still have questions?
Talk to our team, no pressure, no sales pitch. We answer the question, not the upsell.
Not the right fit? Here's what else we offer.
Picking the right procedure is a diagnosis question, not a marketing one. If your eyes are better served by a different path, we'll tell you.
Keep researching, on your terms.
Cost, safety, candidacy — the questions patients actually ask, answered in plain English in our patient education library.
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See what better vision looks like. At any stage of life.
Glasses on the nightstand. Contacts fighting you at the gym. The menu blurring at dinner. You don't have to live with it. Come find out what's possible for your eyes.
- 7,000+
- Surgeries by Dr. Shehz
- 2×
- Board-certified
- 1
- Surgeon. Every case.
- 5★
- Patient-rated on Google
- 20/Happy Patient Guarantee
- Dr. Shehzad Batliwala, Board-Certified
- Aftercare included
- FSA/HSA + 0% APR financing