Keratoconus, often referred to as “KC,” is a non-inflammatory eye condition in which the typically round dome-shaped cornea progressively thins and weakens, causing the development of a cone-like bulge and optical irregularity of the cornea. This causes “static” in your vision and can result in significant visual impairment.
Keratoconus typically first appears in individuals who are in their late teens or early twenties, and may progress for 10-20 years and then slow or stabilize. Each eye may be affected differently. In the early stages of keratoconus, people might experience:
The cornea is responsible for focusing most of the light that comes into the eye. Therefore, abnormalities of the cornea, such as keratoconus, can have a major impact on how an individual sees the world, making simple tasks such as driving a car or reading a book very difficult.
You can find more information from the National Keratoconus Foundation at www.NKCF.org
Corneal cross-linking is designed to strengthen the cornea and slow or halt the progression of keratoconus. At Chesen Laser Eye Center, we offer advanced FDA-approved cross-linking options and will recommend the treatment approach that is most appropriate for your eyes.
Chesen Laser Eye Center is proud to offer Epioxa®, an FDA-approved epithelium-on corneal cross-linking treatment for keratoconus. Unlike traditional corneal cross-linking, Epioxa does not require removal of the corneal epithelium, the protective outermost layer of the cornea.
Epioxa combines specially formulated riboflavin eye drops with ultraviolet light and an oxygen-enriched treatment system to strengthen the cornea while preserving the epithelium. Because the surface of the cornea remains intact, this approach is designed to reduce the discomfort associated with epithelial removal and minimize recovery following treatment.
Epioxa is FDA approved for the treatment of keratoconus in adults and pediatric patients age 13 and older. During your evaluation, our team can determine whether Epioxa or another corneal cross-linking approach is best suited to your condition.
iLink™ is an FDA-approved minimally invasive outpatient epithelium-off corneal cross-linking procedure that combines the use of ultraviolet light and specially formulated eye drops to stiffen and strengthen corneas that have been weakened by disease or refractive surgery. Cross-linking is considered the standard of care around the world for progressive keratoconus and corneal ectasia following refractive surgery.
The medical necessity of iLink™ has become widely recognized. As a result, commercial insurance coverage for the procedure is now over 95% in the United States.
Under the conditions used for iLink™ corneal cross-linking, specially formulated pharmaceutical- strength riboflavin eye drops called Photrexa® (riboflavin 5’-phosphate ophthalmic solution) and Photrexa® Viscous (riboflavin 5’-phosphate in 20% dextran ophthalmic solution) help enable the cross-linking reaction.
iLink™ corneal cross-linking applies an artificial source of ultraviolet light from a machine called the KXL System once the cornea has been soaked in the Photrexa® and Photrexa® Viscous eye drops. This process works to stiffen the cornea by increasing the number of molecular bonds, or cross-links, in the collagen.
Using Photrexa® and Photrexa® Viscous riboflavin eye drops, combined with ultraviolet light from the KXL system, the iLink™ procedure stiffens and strengthens the cornea to slow or halt progressive keratoconus.
If you have been diagnosed with keratoconus, early treatment may help slow or halt progression and preserve your vision. Chesen Laser Eye Center offers advanced FDA-approved corneal cross-linking options, including Epioxa® epithelium-on cross-linking and iLink™ epithelium-off cross-linking.
The right treatment depends on several factors, including your age, corneal thickness, the severity and progression of your keratoconus, and your individual eye health. Our team will carefully evaluate your cornea and recommend the treatment option best suited to your needs.
Ready to explore corneal cross-linking treatment? Come see us at our Reading office in West Reading, PA. To make an appointment, call (610) 372-2222.
(610) 372-2222
