The Midland Eye Institute in Solihull pioneered some cutting edge treatment for a potentially serious eye
condition called keratoconus this week.

On Wednesday, Mr Sunil Shah, consultant ophthalmic surgeon, treated a 28 year old man who had been
suffering from keratoconus for ten years.

Ryan Markham, an actuary from Solihull, relies on good vision, and the new UV Corneal Cross Linking
 treatment that he was given should prevent deterioration of the condition and, hence, avoid the need for
a corneal transplant.

Surgeon Mr Shah, pictured, explained that, ' keratoconus is a problem that effects one in 2,000 people and
results in deterioration in vision caused by bulging of the structure of the cornea.

'Sometimes this can be seen by the naked eye and historically a proportion of patients have needed corneal transplants. this is a very serious operation with a recovery period of often a year.'

However the new 30 minute cross Linking treatment involves delicately removing the superior protective layer of the cornea and applying the photosensensitiser Riboflavin, which is then activated by UV light. the treatment is designed to prevent the progression of any bulging.