Theatre Booking

• After your consultation with Dr Botha, you will return to Reception to make your corneal cross-linking booking. 

  • This procedure will be done at our practice, unless otherwise specified

Payment and Medical Aid Authorisation

• Most medical aids in South Africa do cover this procedure.  

  • The practice will phone your medical aid on your behalf. However, full authorisation remains the responsibility of the patient.

  • Please ensure that you receive a DETAILED AUTHORISATION from your medical aid.

    • The authorisation must be sent to accounts@drtcbotha.com.

    • This information is used to prevent co-payments, if possible.

  • If the full amount is not covered by your medical aid, this will be communicated to you before the procedure.

  • If the cost of your procedure needs to be settled privately, you will be informed beforehand.

What to Bring and How to Prepare

• Whether your procedure involves one eye or both, it will be necessary to arrange transportation for after the procedure. 

• NO CHANGE in eating and medication routines is necessary.

• Avoid bringing excessive accessories.

• Be sure to dress comfortably. 

• Please do not wear ANY makeup on the day of your procedure.

Anaesthesia, Eating and Drinking 

• The procedure is done under TOPICAL ANAESTHESIA. This means that drops are used to numb the eye/s.

• You can eat and drink as normal before your procedure.

• NO PAIN is felt during the procedure.  

Admission Process

• Please arrive at Reception 15 minutes prior to the time provided to you.

• You will be given a CONSENT FORM to read and sign.

• One of our skilled Ophthalmic Assistants will then begin the procedure preparation process.

Procedure Preparation

• Numbing eye drops will be used to prepare the eye/s for the procedure. 

Procedure 

• Using the excimer laser, Dr Botha performs a quick epithelium stimulation on the involved eye/s (this facilitates easier riboflavin penetration into the cornea).

• Riboflavin eye drops are applied to the cornea for a specific period (usually 20 minutes) to allow saturation of the corneal tissue.

• A special UV-A light is then directed onto the cornea for another set period (usually 30 minutes).

• You will be awake during the procedure as you will need to fixate on a light.

• The procedure should be comfortable. NO PAIN should be present during the procedure.

  • You can verbalize if there is any discomfort and we will immediately react to this. 

CXL Post-Procedure Information

• Walk out with eyes open and antibiotic ointment administered onto the eye/s. 

• A SCRIPT for antibiotic eye drops and pain tablets will be provided immediately post-procedure. 

  • Drops are to be used until finished.

  • Pain tablets prescribed are not mandatory. You can use what you have at home, provided it DOES NOT CONTAIN IBUPROFEN.

• Our rooms will contact you the next morning to do a post-operative check-in. 

• We typically do a clinical review at 1-month post-procedure. We repeat scans to assess the efficacy of the procedure and then discuss further review dates to monitor for progression. 

NOTE: Typically, this procedure is a ‘once-off’. However, in the very rare case that we see progression afterwards, the procedure may need to be repeated if clinically indicated.

• Major post-operative expectations / issues:

  • It is common to experience some discomfort (often described as a gritty, burning sensation or foreign body sensation), dry eyes, blurry vision, and light sensitivity for a few days after the procedure. 

  • Vision should recover to baseline within 24 hours. Sometimes there are minor fluctuations the first week or so. 

  • Discomfort usually subsides within 3-5 days.

  • Dryness symptoms usually resolve in 1-3 months.

  • You may need new glasses or contact lenses once your vision stabilizes (usually at the 3-month mark).

• The most important constraint post-procedure is NO EYE RUBBING.