Cornea

Keratoconus: Corneal Cross-linking

What Is Keratoconus?

Keratoconus, often referred to as “KC,” is a sight-threatening eye disease in which the typically round dome-shaped cornea progressively thins and weakens, causing the development of a cone-like bulge and blurry or distorted vision. This can result in significant visual loss and may lead to a corneal
transplant if left untreated.

Symptoms

Keratoconus typically first appears in individuals who are in their late teens or early twenties, but can affect older adults too. Each eye may be affected differently. In the early stages of keratoconus, people might experience:

• Mildly blurred vision

• Frequent prescription changes

• Excessive eye rubbing

• Difficulty seeing at night

• Frequent headaches

• Vision that cannot be fully corrected with glasses or contact lenses

​​​​​​​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.

Keratoconus:

• Can result in significant vision loss

• May lead to corneal transplant in severe cases

• Affects both males and females

• Affects all ethnicities with some studies showing higher incidence rates among Asian, black, and

• Hispanic populations

• 10% of people with KC have affected relatives

• An estimated 5-30% of people with Down syndrome are also affected by keratoconus

​​​​​​​You can find more information at www.livingwithkeratoconus.com.

What Is iLink Corneal Cross-Linking?

iLink corneal cross-linking is the only FDA-approved cross-linking treatment for progressive keratoconus. It is a minimally invasive outpatient procedure that combines the use of ultraviolet light and specially formulated eye drops to stiffen and strengthen the cornea that has 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.

Corneal Cross-Linking

• Creates new corneal collagen cross-links

• Results in a shortening and thickening of the collagen fibrils

• Leads to the stiffening and strengthening of the cornea

​​​​​​​Does Insurance Cover iLink Corneal Cross-Linking?

The medical necessity of FDA-approved iLink™ corneal cross-linking has become widely recognized. As a result, the procedure is covered by over 95% of commercial insurance providers.

For additional information on insurance coverage and to view the latest list of insurers that are known to have policies that cover cross-linking, visit the Insurance Information page on LivingwithKeratoconus.com.

What Technology Is Used At Whitsett Vision Group?

At Whitsett Vision Group, we use iLink cross-linking technology , the only FDA-approved technology to slow or halt the progression of keratoconus.