Crosslinking and Keratoconus In Bostonin Boston, MA

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1. Nielsen Eye Center Now Proudly Offers Fda Approved Epithelium-on Cornea Cross-linking
2. What Is Keratoconus?
3. Real Patients. Real Reviews.
4. What Are The Symptoms Of Keratoconus?
5. How Do Eye Doctors Test For Keratoconus?
6. What Is Epioxa® Corneal Cross-linking?
7. What To Expect During Epioxa® Treatment
8. Is Epioxa® Corneal Cross-linking Right For Me?
9. Request A Keratoconus Consultation
10. Frequently Asked Questions
11. Our Providers
12. Related Blog

Nielsen Eye Center Now Proudly Offers FDA Approved Epithelium-On Cornea Cross-Linking

At Nielsen Eye Center, our experienced Ophthalmologists are dedicated to providing you with the most advanced methods of treatments available. If you have keratoconus, you can trust that our eye doctors will create a detailed treatment plan to preserve or improve your vision.

Our doctors also stay current on the newest FDA-approved treatment innovations for keratoconus, including Epioxa®, an epithelium-on approach to Corneal Cross-Linking. Ask your Nielsen Eye Center doctor which option may be the best fit for your eyes.

What Is Keratoconus?

Keratoconus is an eye condition that affects the front surface of your eye, known as the cornea. Those with keratoconus have a more cone-shaped cornea than a spherical one. Keratoconus causes the corneal tissue to thin and bulge forward, producing blurry and distorted vision. Most cases of keratoconus are diagnosed earlier in life, around adolescence or early adulthood.

However, you can develop keratoconus at any age. Experts do not currently know the cause of keratoconus, although various factors seem to play a role in the development. There is also evidence to suggest that keratoconus may be hereditary. This condition also tends to be associated with frequent eye rubbing, allergies, and certain connective tissue disorders.

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What Are the Symptoms of Keratoconus?

If you have keratoconus, it is likely to be diagnosed by your eye doctor during routine eye exams. However, some symptoms are common with keratoconus, including:

• Mildly blurred vision
• Excessive rubbing of the eyes
• Frequent headaches
• Vision that cannot be corrected with glasses
• Difficulty seeing at night

Those who have keratoconus may start off experiencing mild symptoms. However, keratoconus symptoms often worsen with time. Keratoconus is usually a bilateral condition, meaning if you have it in one eye, you will likely have it in the other. It is possible to have a more advanced stage of the condition in one eye compared to the other.

In mild stages of the condition, eye doctors often use hard contact lenses to correct distorted or blurry vision. A common symptom of keratoconus in more advanced stages is that these contact lenses no longer work to correct vision. In some cases, the contact lenses may be unable to fit properly on the eye due to the bulging in the cornea. Although keratoconus tends to progress slowly, it can develop rapidly in some people. In the advanced stages of the condition, scar tissue begins to develop on the cornea that often further blurs and distorts the vision.

How Do Eye Doctors Test for Keratoconus?

If your eye doctor suspects that you may have keratoconus, they will perform a few tests to determine how advanced the condition is. These tests and measurements will also help your eye doctor determine which treatment plan is best for you. Before you begin to notice symptoms, your eye doctor can often diagnose keratoconus during your routine eye exams. Early detection and treatment of keratoconus are vital for preserving your vision. For this reason, it is essential that you visit your eye doctor for routine exams. To diagnose or detect keratoconus, your eye doctor will perform a thorough examination of your eyes, including looking at them under a microscope.

When examining your eyes under the microscope, your eye doctor will be able to see if there are certain irregularities in your cornea, such as bulging. Your eye doctor will also test your vision to see how your vision compares to previous visits. For further information about how advanced your keratoconus is, they may take additional images and measurements of your eyes. A pachymetry test is an integral part of diagnosing keratoconus and determining its level of progression. The results of a pachymetry test tell your eye doctor how thick your cornea is. Your eye doctor can take this measurement at various locations on your cornea. However, your eye doctor will be particularly interested in how thin your cornea is at the peak of the bulge. The more corneal thinning, the weaker it is.

In addition to pachymetry, your eye doctor will likely take an image of your corneal shape that forms a topographical map. This image will show your eye doctor the thinnest or weakest part of your cornea. Depending on the severity of your condition, our team uses various methods to treat keratoconus. In mild cases, your eye doctor may prescribe you contact lenses to offset the visual symptoms of the condition. In more advanced cases, a corneal collagen cross linking transplant may be required to restore vision. However, our experienced eye doctors at Nielsen Eye Center offer the new iLink corneal crosslinking procedure that can slow the progression of the condition.

What Is Epioxa® Corneal Cross-Linking?

Epioxa® Cross-Linking is an upgraded form of Cross-Linking that is FDA approved and minimally invasive. This treatment is designed to strengthen the cornea, the clear front surface of the eye. It is primarily used to help stop the progression of keratoconus and other conditions that cause the cornea to become weak or change shape.

During the procedure, special riboflavin (vitamin B2) eye drops are applied to the eye, followed by a controlled ultraviolet (UV) light treatment. This process creates new bonds, or “cross-links,” within the cornea, making it stronger and more stable. Unlike traditional corneal cross-linking, Epioxa® is performed without removing the outer layer of the cornea (the epithelium), which improves comfort and shortens recovery time for patients.

The goal of Epioxa® Cross-Linking is to preserve your vision by preventing further corneal weakening. While it is not intended to reverse existing vision changes, many patients are able to maintain their vision and may reduce the need for more invasive treatments, such as a corneal transplant.

Your Ophthalmologist will determine whether Epioxa® Cross-Linking is the right treatment for you based on your eye health and condition.

What to Expect During Epioxa® Treatment

• Your doctor applies the prescription eye drops to your eye for a few minutes.
• Special goggles are fitted to your eye and oxygen begins flowing.
• A UV light source completes the cross-linking process, working with the drops and oxygen to strengthen your cornea.

Afterward, you may feel mild discomfort in the treated eye, and wearing sunglasses can help if you’re sensitive to light. Plan to rest, avoid rubbing your eyes, and take any medications your doctor prescribes. Contact your doctor right away if you experience severe pain or a sudden change in vision. Many patients are able to have their second eye treated as soon as one week after the first.

Is Epioxa® Corneal Cross-Linking Right for Me?

If you have keratoconus and are considering your treatment options, schedule an appointment with our experts on keratoconus diagnoses, treatment, and surgical procedures. Your Ophthalmologist will review your individual case to help determine whether Epioxa® Cross-Linking, or another treatment path, is the better fit for your keratoconus. The eye doctors at Nielsen Eye Center are committed to providing you with the most advanced and customized treatment methods available.

Request a Keratoconus Consultation

To learn more about your keratoconus treatment options, please contact the Nielsen Eye Center. We are proud to serve the Greater Boston communities of Quincy, Weymouth, Norwell, and Norwood.

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Our team of eye doctors includes some of the foremost experts in laser vision correction and eye surgery in the greater Boston area. We look forward to helping you maintain healthy and clear vision for years to come. Learn more about our leading providers and the high level of service you can expect at the Nielsen Eye Center.

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