From £1,800 per eye · complimentary assessment
Performed by our expert team using advanced techniques and personalised planning.
If you’ve been diagnosed with keratoconus or another corneal ectatic condition, corneal collagen cross-linking (CXL) is designed to help slow or halt the progression of the disease and preserve your vision. Typically it is the first line of surgical treatment for Keratoconus.
Keratoconus causes the cornea to become thinner and gradually change shape, leading to blurred or distorted vision over time. By strengthening the collagen fibres within the cornea, CXL improves corneal stability and helps reduce further thinning or bulging.
As keratoconus is a progressive condition, early intervention can help preserve corneal stability and reduce the risk of further deterioration. At The Harley Street Eye Centre, we use advanced diagnostic technology to assess your corneal health and determine whether corneal collagen cross-linking is the most appropriate treatment for your individual needs.
Corneal cross-linking (CXL) is a minimally invasive outpatient procedure designed to strengthen the cornea and help prevent further thinning or distortion caused by keratoconus and other corneal ectatic conditions. It works by applying riboflavin (vitamin B2) eye drops to the eye and activating them with ultraviolet A (UVA) light.
Unlike laser eye surgery, which reshapes the cornea to correct refractive errors, corneal cross-linking strengthens and stabilises the cornea. The treatment creates additional bonds between the collagen fibres within the cornea, helping it resist the progressive thinning and bulging associated with keratoconus.
By slowing or halting disease progression, corneal cross-linking can help preserve your existing vision and reduce the likelihood of requiring more invasive treatments, such as a corneal transplant. At The Harley Street Eye Centre, we’ll assess whether your keratoconus is progressing and determine whether corneal cross-linking is the most appropriate treatment for your individual needs.
Preparing the Eye
Anaesthetic eye drops are applied before treatment to keep you comfortable throughout the procedure. Depending on your specialist's recommended technique, the outer layer of the cornea (the epithelium) may be removed or left intact.
Riboflavin Application
Riboflavin (vitamin B2) eye drops are applied to the cornea over a period of time, allowing the solution to be absorbed into the corneal tissue.
Ultraviolet Light Treatment
Once the riboflavin has been absorbed, the cornea is exposed to a carefully controlled dose of ultraviolet A (UVA) light. The combination of riboflavin and UVA light strengthens the collagen fibres in the cornea, improving its stability.
Personalised Treatment Approach
Corneal cross-linking may be performed using either an epithelium-off (epi-off) or epithelium-on (epi-on) technique. Your surgeon will recommend the most appropriate approach based on your individual circumstances.
Why Early Treatment Matters
Corneal cross-linking is generally most effective when performed before significant thinning or scarring develops. Identifying progressive keratoconus early can help preserve vision, maintain corneal stability and reduce the likelihood of requiring more invasive treatment, such as a corneal transplant.
Corneal cross-linking offers several potential benefits for suitable patients with progressive keratoconus and other corneal ectatic conditions. By strengthening the cornea, the procedure aims to slow or halt disease progression, reducing the need for more invasive treatment in the future.
Corneal cross-linking strengthens the collagen fibres within the cornea, helping to slow or halt the progression of keratoconus and other corneal ectatic conditions before significant thinning or scarring occurs.
Can be combined with a keratoconus specific laser vision correction procedure for a combined vision improvement + Stop progression procedure.
By creating additional cross-links between collagen fibres, the procedure helps the cornea maintain its structural strength and natural shape, reducing further thinning, bulging and distortion over time.
For some patients, a more stable corneal shape may make contact lenses easier to fit and more comfortable to wear following treatment.
Corneal cross-linking is performed as a day procedure and does not involve replacing or reshaping the cornea. This procedure may also reduce the likelihood of requiring more invasive treatment, such as a corneal transplant, in the future.
Corneal cross-linking may be recommended for people with progressive keratoconus or other corneal ectatic conditions. Whether the procedure is suitable for you depends on a comprehensive assessment of your eyes, including your corneal thickness, the progression of your condition and your overall eye health.
You may be a suitable candidate if you:
During your consultation, your consultant will perform a detailed examination using advanced diagnostic imaging to assess your corneal health and determine whether corneal cross-linking is the most appropriate treatment for your individual needs.
Hear directly from patients whose lives were changed by surgeon-led care at The Harley Street Eye Centre.
Cadell
Laser Eye Surgery
“This surgery changed my life , it was like night and day. I was back to playing football like nothing happened.”
Joel
Laser Eye Surgery
“I literally woke up the next morning and could see , it was just like nothing had ever happened.”
Amira
Laser Eye Surgery
“My questions were answered. I felt a lot more comfortable and I didn’t feel like I was ever rushed or pressured into making the decision.”
Sharon
Laser Eye Surgery
“I thought that was it… And once I saw him — oh my God, it was like… I said to him, you’re like my guardian angel. Because I just felt safe. I actually felt safe in his hands.”
From your initial consultation through to treatment and follow-up care, every stage of your care is led by an experienced consultant ophthalmologist. Using advanced diagnostic technology, we’ll conduct a detailed assessment, determine whether corneal cross-linking is appropriate and develop a personalised treatment plan tailored to your individual needs.
A short film walking you through assessment, treatment plan and aftercare at our Harley Street facility.
01
Getting started is straightforward. You can contact our clinic directly or book your complimentary consultation online, and our team will guide you through the next steps.
Before your appointment, we’ll ask a few questions about your:
This information allows us to prepare for your consultation and tailor your assessment to your individual needs. Flexible appointment times and same-day consultations may also be available.
02
Your consultation begins with a detailed discussion of your symptoms, vision, and eye health, followed by a comprehensive examination of your eyes.
To assess whether corneal cross linking is appropriate, we use advanced diagnostic technology, which may include:
These advanced assessments allow your specialist to detect signs of disease progression, evaluate corneal stability and determine whether corneal cross-linking is the most appropriate treatment for your condition.
03
Following your assessment, your specialist will explain the findings and discuss whether corneal cross-linking surgery is recommended for you.
You’ll receive clear guidance on:
If you need additional time to consider your options, we’re happy to answer any questions before you make your decision.
04
Corneal cross-linking is typically performed as a day procedure using local anaesthetic eye drops. During the procedure, riboflavin (vitamin B2) eye drops are applied to the cornea before being activated with ultraviolet A (UVA) light. Depending on the treatment technique used, a protective contact lens may be placed over the eye afterwards to support healing.
Following your procedure, we’ll monitor your recovery through scheduled follow-up appointments to assess healing and corneal stability. You’ll also receive guidance on:
Our team will continue to monitor your recovery and provide ongoing support to help protect your long-term corneal health.
Corneal cross-linking starts from £1,800 per eye. The total cost depends on your individual treatment plan, the technique recommended and whether treatment is required in one or both eyes. As every patient is different, your final treatment cost will be confirmed following your comprehensive consultation and assessment.
We believe in transparent pricing, so you’ll receive a detailed breakdown of all fees before making any decisions.
Your Treatment Fee Typically Includes:
Should you decide to proceed with treatment, a deposit is payable at the time of booking. To help make treatment more accessible, we also offer flexible payment plans and 0% interest finance options, allowing you to spread the cost over time.
Our team of experienced eye specialists combines decades of clinical expertise with a strong commitment to innovation, precision and patient-centred care.
Founder and Medical Director, Mr Marwan Ghabra, is a highly experienced ophthalmic surgeon, medical leader and innovator with more than 30 years of clinical and surgical experience. As a founding member of the International Keratoconus Society, he is widely recognised for his expertise in keratoconus and corneal disease, including the management of complex and high-risk cases.
Advanced technology plays an important role in the assessment and management of keratoconus. Accurate imaging and corneal measurements help our consultants detect disease progression, determine whether corneal cross-linking is appropriate and plan treatment with precision.
At The Harley Street Eye Centre, we use the Oculus Pentacam® AXL, an advanced diagnostic platform that combines Scheimpflug tomography with optical biometry to create highly detailed images and measurements of the cornea and anterior segment of the eye. This technology enables us to assess corneal shape, thickness and structural changes, supporting the early detection and ongoing monitoring of keratoconus while helping guide treatment decisions.
We believe confidence in treatment begins with clear communication, careful assessment, and honest clinical advice, and our approach is grounded in transparency, safety, and consistently high standards of care.
Every patient receives a personalised treatment plan tailored to their eye health, prescription, lifestyle, and visual goals. We take the time to discuss suitability, expected outcomes, limitations and alternative options, helping patients make informed decisions with confidence.
For those considering treatment, we are also happy to facilitate opportunities to speak with patients who have undergone similar procedures, allowing prospective patients to hear first-hand experiences where appropriate.
Mr Marwan Ghabra is the Founder and Medical Director of The Harley Street Eye Centre, where he leads a multidisciplinary team delivering advanced, consultant-led eye care across a wide range of ophthalmic subspecialties, particularly in corneal disease and keratoconus.
He is the developer of the “Ghabra Technique”, an innovative approach to keratoconus management designed to address both anterior and posterior corneal irregularities. Alongside his private practice, he continues to manage complex surgical cases within the NHS, contributes to ophthalmic innovation and clinical research, and remains actively involved in education as a lecturer, mentor and international speaker.
Something specific on your mind?
We’re one call away on 0203 968 2030.
Corneal cross-linking (CXL) is a minimally invasive procedure designed to strengthen the cornea and help slow or halt the progression of keratoconus and other corneal ectatic conditions. It uses riboflavin (vitamin B2) eye drops and controlled ultraviolet (UV) light to create additional cross-links between collagen fibres, improving the cornea’s strength and stability.
Corneal cross-linking typically takes 60 to 90 minutes per eye, although the exact treatment time depends on the technique used. Much of the procedure involves allowing the riboflavin eye drops to absorb into the cornea before the UV light treatment begins. As it is performed as a day procedure, you’ll usually be able to return home the same day.
Corneal cross-linking is performed using local anaesthetic eye drops, so most patients experience little or no discomfort during the procedure. As the eye heals, it’s common to experience temporary discomfort, watering, light sensitivity and a gritty sensation for several days. Your specialist will provide detailed aftercare instructions, and a protective contact lens is usually placed to support healing.
The primary aim of corneal cross-linking is to stabilise the cornea and help prevent further vision loss rather than improve vision itself. Some patients notice modest improvements in vision as the cornea stabilises, but the procedure is mainly intended to preserve existing vision.
Most patients can resume many of their normal daily activities within several days to a week, depending on the treatment technique used and how their eye heals. It’s common for vision to fluctuate during the early stages of recovery, and it may take several weeks or even months for vision to fully stabilise.
Corneal cross-linking is intended to provide long-term stabilisation of the cornea. In many patients, a single treatment is sufficient to slow or halt the progression of keratoconus. However, ongoing monitoring is important, as a small number of patients may require additional treatment if progression continues.
Whether both eyes can be treated during the same visit depends on your individual circumstances and your specialist’s recommendation. Many patients have each eye treated separately, allowing the first eye to heal before proceeding with the second, although this will be discussed during your consultation.
Your keratoconus assessment is complimentary. An hour with our diagnostic team and a real conversation with the surgeon who would treat you. No obligation.
