Beyond Cross-Linking - Ocular Inflammation A New Way of Thinking About Keratoconus

For decades, keratoconus was described as a purely mechanical, non-inflammatory thinning of the cornea. That story is changing. A growing body of research points to enzymatic activity, oxidative stress, and inflammatory mediators in the tears of people with keratoconus, alongside the mechanical instability that corneal cross-linking is designed to halt.

In this episode, host Maya Rao sits down with Dr. Saikumar Gandapodi, Board-Certified Doctor of Oriental Medicine, Ayurvedic practitioner, and Founder of Netra Eye Institute, to explore what the evidence actually supports about the biology of keratoconus. They discuss the enduring value of cross-linking, the role of eye rubbing and the ocular surface, and where integrative, adjunct strategies might complement standard care.

Throughout, the conversation stays grounded: established science is separated from emerging hypotheses, no cures are promised, and integrative approaches are framed only as complements to proven ophthalmic treatment.