UK Keratoconus Self-Help and Support Association

i have been informed i require transplant for both eyes, i had a private appointment with an eye doctor while in the states,

he said that i should try x linking with prk as this could prevent the need for a transplant.

is this type of treatment done in Europe?

Hi Mousework

Yes, this combination is available in Europe including the UK -- but only through private practice. If you're eligible, then the actual crosslinking itself is slowly becoming (very slowly !) more widely available via the NHS.

With regards to what you've told us, the key bit is the "could" prevent the need for a transplant. If your cornea is too thin, then crosslinking is contra-indicated -- in which case the second part of the combination (the PRK) falls through as you can't really have that performed on an unstable cornea.

Crosslinking and a slightly different procedure (T-CAT) is also performed, probably this combination is a little more common than crosslinking and PRK (but we're talking quite small numbers of each here, it's comparatively early days for this sort of "both together" approach).

But certainly worth investigating, depending on your own particular circumstances.

Best wishes

Chris