A New Keratoconus Treatment, Stops Keratoconus from Progressing
As a leading cornea specialist in the Washington, DC area, Dr. Daniel Sarezky is one of the few eye surgeons to offer Corneal Cross-Linking to patients affected by keratoconus and corneal ectasia. Dr. Sarezky performs this innovative procedure more than any another provider in the state of Maryland.
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The cornea is the eye’s clear, dome-shaped outer layer that focuses light onto the retina for clear vision. A healthy cornea has a smooth, round shape, allowing light to pass through without distortion.
Keratoconus is a progressive eye disorder that causes the cornea to thin and bulge into a cone shape, leading to irregular astigmatism, blurred vision, and light sensitivity. Once thought to affect 1 in 2,000 people, it is now diagnosed in 1 in 500, making it more common than ever—especially among teenagers and young adults.
As the corneal shape changes, it alters the eye’s refractive power, resulting in visual acuity issues, nearsightedness, and difficulty with corrective lenses. In advanced cases, corneal scarring may occur, leading to further vision loss.
“Corneal cross-linking is beneficial to my patients in that it offers them a therapeutic option to limit the progression of keratoconus and corneal ectasia following refractive surgery,” says Daniel Sarezky, MD. “The FDA approval of corneal cross-linking with Photrexa products and the KXL System offers new treatment options for appropriate patients who, until now, had few options to help with their vision challenges and with little to no therapeutic treatment for these sight-threatening conditions.”
A healthy cornea maintains a clear, round shape to properly focus light. However, with keratoconus, weakened collagen fibers fail to support the cornea, causing it to bulge into a cone shape. This distortion leads to irregular astigmatism, vision problems, and increased light sensitivity.
Common symptoms include:
In the early stages, eyeglasses or soft contact lenses can correct vision. However, as irregular astigmatism worsens, patients often require scleral lenses, which sit on the sclera and create a smooth optical surface without touching the cornea.
For advanced keratoconus, surgical procedures may be necessary:
“Early diagnosis is critical and allows patients to be treated at the onset of the disease,” states Dr. Sarezky, “Patients suffering from progressive keratoconus and corneal ectasia following refractive surgery can now receive a treatment that has been rigorously tested and approved.”
Corneal collagen cross-linking is a non-invasive procedure that uses UV light and riboflavin (vitamin B 2) eye drops to shorten and thicken the collagen fibers, creating new collagen cross-links.
Cross-linking is performed on one eye at a time, typically 3 to 6 months apart, with close monitoring of corneal shape and vision changes.
Before
Plan to be at our Rockville clinic for up to 2 hours for pre- and post-operative care. The procedure takes approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes.
During
Your eye will be numbed with anesthetic drops, and an eyelid holder will keep you from blinking. The surgeon will apply a solution to remove the corneal epithelium.
Treatment
Riboflavin eye drops are applied until the cornea is fully saturated. A UV light will then activate the solution, strengthening the corneal collagen to halt progression.
How does corneal cross-linking stop keratoconus?
Cross-linking involves using UV light and riboflavin eye drops to prevent the cornea from bulging and worsening irregular astigmatism.
What are the risks of corneal cross-linking?
Cross-linking is a low-risk procedure, but some temporary side effects may occur, including:
What are the benefits of cross-linking?
Will I still need glasses or contact lenses after the procedure?
Yes. Cross-linking does not correct vision but stabilizes the cornea to preserve visual acuity. Most keratoconus patients still need glasses or contacts for better vision.
Does insurance cover corneal cross-linking?
Many insurers now cover CXL, including:
Who can benefit from corneal cross-linking?
Studies show that the procedure strengthens the corneal collagen by around 300%, preventing further bulging and reducing the need for corneal transplant surgery. Ideal candidates are:
Schedule a comprehensive eye exam to determine your candidacy for corneal cross-linking. Our surgeons use advanced diagnostic technology to assess eye health and create a long-term plan for clear vision.
Answer a few questions, and a surgical counselor will assist you. For medical concerns, contact us directly at 301.896.0890.