Corneal Crosslinking

rsz_croslinking-(1).jpg The Cornea Research Foundation of America contributed to the recent USA Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of cross-linking for halting or slowing the progression of keratoconus and corneal ectasia after prior refractive surgery. We enrolled patients in the first USA clinical trials, which began in 2008, and the results of those studies led to the FDA determination that cross-linking is a safe and effective treatment.

Corneal cross-linking involves administering riboflavin (vitamin B2) eye drops and UVA light in carefully selected parameters that strengthen the front layers of the cornea (clear covering of the eye) and avoid damage to the back part of the eye.
 
We are providing patients with continued access to cross-linking through an ongoing investigational study.

Click here to view an informational brochure about crosslinking for keratoconus.

Eligibility Requirements:
  • You may be eligible if you have the following in one or both ofrsz_dr_price_epithelium_removal.jpg your eyes or are 10 years of age or older
  •   Have been diagnosed with progressive keratoconus or have had previous vision correction surgery and now have corneal ectasia
  •   Corneal thickness greater than 300 microns at the thinnest point
  •   If you are female, you cannot be pregnant
  •   Can leave your contact lens out for at least 6 weeks in the eye to be treated
  •  If you have keratoconus, it must have gotten worse in the last three years based on your previous eye exams. You will need to contact your eye doctor or allow us to contact your eye doctor to get your eye exam records for your vision measurements, corneal maps (topographies) and contact lens or glasses prescriptions
If you or someone you know may be interested in participating in this crosslinking study, please contact (800) 317-3937 to see how to determine if you are a candidate for the study. 

Most insurers have not yet determined whether they will cover cross-linking and if so, what the potential reimbursement and out-of-pocket costs might be.

Patient testimonial:

"The fall before the procedures on both of my eyes, I noticed before baseball that my contacts weren't doing it. When I went to get a new prescription, little helped. I came to Indianapolis for cross linking which was only painful for the day of and day after. A few months later I was put into hard contacts and could see much better. The procedure is very much worth it." - Thomas R.