Researchers from Emory University in Atlanta have developed a new treatment for corneal disease called Keratoconus. This special procedure stabilizes the cornea, while reversing some of the other permanent changes in the integrity and curvature. The treatment called Corneal Collagen Cross-Linking includes few steps. Firstly, patients are given a topical anesthetic to avoid discomfort during the treatment. Removal of a thin layer of cells from the top of the cornea follows. Then, riboflavin drops are placed into the eye. This saturates the cornea for half an hour. After that, the eye is exposed to Ultra Violet A light for 30 more minutes. The UVA light interacts with the riboflavin to form chemical bonds between the collagen molecules in the cornea, stiffening it and helping it to retain a rounder shape. A soft contact lens is placed in the eye to protect the cornea. It is removed after three to five days. As the cornea heals and stiffens, the curvature gradually improves