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What is Keratoconus?

Keratoconus, often referred to as ‘KCN’, is a non-inflammatory eye condition. Typically the cornea progressively thins and weakens causing the development of a cone-like bulge and optical irregularity. This causes distortion of your vision and can result in significant visual impairment.

 

Symptoms

Keratoconus typically first appears in individuals who are in their late teens or early twenties and may progress for 10-20 years. In the early stages of keratoconus, people might experience:

  • Distortion of vision
  • Difficulty wearing contact lenses
  • Increased sensitivity to light
  • Can result in significant vision loss
  • May lead to corneal transplant in severe cases

 

Treatment

In the past, KCN was only corrected with surgery.  Many patients needed to undergo a corneal transplant.  Now newer and less invasive surgery is available.

Dr. Robert Haverly is pleased to offer Epioxa™ HD / Epioxa™, the first and only FDA-approved epithelium-on (Epi-On) corneal cross-linking treatment for progressive keratoconus.

As a Principal Investigator in the clinical trial that evaluated Epioxa™, Dr. Haverly gained firsthand experience with this groundbreaking technology before its FDA approval and is proud to now offer this innovative treatment to patients throughout the region.

Unlike earlier cross-linking techniques that required removal of the corneal surface, Epioxa™ preserves the corneal epithelium, making treatment more comfortable while promoting faster healing. This oxygen-enhanced procedure uses the O2n™ System and Boost Goggles® to optimize oxygen delivery during treatment and offers several important advantages:

  • First and only FDA-approved Epi-On corneal cross-linking treatment
  • No removal of the corneal epithelium
  • Less discomfort during recovery
  • Faster healing and quicker return to normal activities
  • Incision-free procedure
  • Reduced risks associated with epithelial removal
  • Earlier treatment without requiring documented disease progression before intervention
  • May help preserve vision and reduce the need for a corneal transplant
  • In clinical studies, both eyes could be treated as little as one week apart

You can find more information from the National Keratoconus Foundation at www.NKCF.org

Dr. Haverly is featured on Erie News Now as he discusses Keratoconus treatment

 

Contact Us

What is Corneal Cross-Linking?

We are now offering procedures using the KXL® System, the first and only FDA-approved therapy for progressive keratoconus. The machine, created by Avedro, was approved in 2016, along with Avedro’s Photrexa® Viscous and Photrexa® solutions, and is being used in about 100 facilities nationwide. Cross-linking is a minimally invasive outpatient procedure that combines the use of UVA light and riboflavin eye drops to add stiffness to the corneas which have been weakened by disease.

Riboflavin

Riboflavin (vitamin B2) is important for body growth, red blood cell production and assists in releasing energy from carbohydrates. Under the conditions used for corneal collagen cross-linking, riboflavin 5’-phosphate, vitamin B2, functions as a photoenhancer which enables the cross-linking reaction to occur.

Ultra-Violet A (UVA)

UVA is one of the three types of invisible light rays given off by the sun (together with ultra-violet B and ultra-violet C) and is the weakest of the three. UVA light is applied to irradiate the cornea after it has been soaked in the photoenhancing riboflavin solution. This cross-linking process increases the number of molecular bonds, or cross-links, in the collagen.

Is cross-linking right for me?

Patients over the age of 13, who have been diagnosed with progressive keratoconus should ask their doctor about corneal cross-linking. Our practice is proud to offer patients the first and only FDA approved therapeutic treatment for progressive keratoconus.

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

 
 
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