Preparing for CrossLinking
Retrospective advice from people who have done it
The Scariest and Easiest Part
I am very squeamish, especially about eyes, particularly when they are my eyes and so the thought of someone operating on my eyes has me terrified. However, when it came to the operation itself, it seemed like all my worry had been wasted because everything is completely numbed and so not particularly stressful. You can't see details like numbness in the toe-curlingly intimidating medical diagrams, but it's essential.
Not painful
Although there are pleasant parts and less-pleasant parts of the CrossLinking procedure, you should not be in pain at any point. This fact alone should be a relief!
If you think you may require more anaesthetic at any point (will be a subtle ache) then do mention it because, in my experience, the surgeon has always been quick and happy to respond.
Expect to enjoy yourself (a little)
On the day the team of staff at the hospital will be doing everything they can to put you at ease - you'll probably find them chatty, sympathetic and friendly. Of course, there will be moments when you don't want to distract the surgeon, but once the epithelium has been (fully or partially) removed, you'll be able to relax much more as the more straight-forward eye-drop stage begins. During one of my operations the playlist was so good that we had a sing along.