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Keratoconus

Closeup of an Eye With Keratoconus

We are excited to announce that Eyesight Ophthalmic Services is now offering the first and only FDA approved cross-linking treatment for progressive keratoconus. We are the first practice in New Hampshire to offer this medically necessary procedure.

What is Keratoconus?

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.

What is Corneal Cross-Linking?

Cross-linking is a minimally invasive outpatient procedure that combines the use of UVA light and riboflavin eye drops to add stiffness to corneas which have been weakened by disease or refractive surgery. Cross-linking, which has been performed in Europe since 2003, is considered the standard of care around the world for keratoconus and corneal ectasia following refractive surgery.  This procedure is approved as a medically necessary procedure, approved through most medical plans.

How it Works

Avedro’s drug products, Photrexa® Viscous (riboflavin 5’-phosphate in 20% dextran ophthalmic solution) and Photrexa® (riboflavin 5’-phosphate ophthalmic solution) are indicated for use with the KXL System in corneal collagen cross-linking – a medical procedure that combines the use of ultra-violet (UV) light and riboflavin (vitamin B2) eye drops. The procedure works by creating new bonds between corneal collagen fibers which leads to the stiffening of corneas which have been weakened by disease or by refractive surgery.

Benefits

• Only FDA approved therapeutic treatment available for progressive keratoconus and corneal ectasia following refractive surgery.
• Can limit the progression of disease by stiffening the cornea.
• Clinical benefits of reduction in maximum corneal curvature (as measured by Kmax).

Is Cross-Linking Right for Me?

Patients over the age of 14 who have been diagnosed with progressive keratoconus or corneal ectasia following refractive surgery should ask their doctor about corneal cross-linking.

The procedure is performed at Clear Advantage Vision Correction Center which is the refractive surgery center through Eyesight Ophthalmic Services.  Crosslinking is the only therapeutic product for corneal cross-linking which has been FDA approved to treat progressive keratoconus. This approval offers an effective treatment for patients who, until recently, had no therapeutic options to limit the progression of this sight-threatening disease.

For information on the FDA approved corneal cross-linking procedure for the treatment of keratoconus and corneal ectasia following refractive surgery, visit www.Avedro.com.

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