In the last few years a way to medically strengthen the cornea by increasing the number of collagen cross-links has become available. The full name of the procedure is corneal collagen cross-linking with riboflavin, also called C3R or CXL for short. It is used to strengthen the cornea in people with keratoconus or corneal ectasia following complicated refractive surgerry. In doing so, corneal collagen cross-linking can stop keratoconus from worsening. It can also help flatten the central cornea in about 50% of patients, who often experience better vision as a result. CXL was performed in Cairo, Egypt very early after its inception. The procedure is relatively simple, highly effective and completely painless. It’s also very safe, and any complications are extremely unlikely. Dr Khalil is following up many patients with their stabilised corneas, for whom he has performed cross linking years ago, when CXL was just starting. In many instances, when performed properly, it does not only stabilize the cornea, but also leads to noticeable improvement in vision quality.