How much does cross-linking for keratoconus cost?

The cost of corneal cross-linking for the treatment of progressive keratoconus typically ranges from $2,500 to $4,000 per eye.

Can keratoconus come back after cross-linking?

Corneal Cross Linking will not reverse keratoconus but in the majority of cases prevents the condition from worsening, and will, in some cases, achieve a visual improvement.

Does cross-linking stop keratoconus?

Corneal cross-linking is the only treatment that can stop progressive keratoconus from getting worse. And it may help you avoid a corneal transplant, which is major surgery.

What kind of doctor does corneal cross-linking?

Corneal Cross-linking (CXL) To perform this procedure, an ophthalmologist first removes the outer layer of cells from your cornea. Next, vitamin B12 (riboflavin) drops are placed in your eye. The ophthalmologist then shines UV light on your eye. This activates the riboflavin and stiffens the cornea.

Is cross-linking worth it?

Dr. Rubinfeld notes that cross-linking does improve vision in a number of patients. “We’ve found that about 50 percent of the time patients achieve a significant improvement in vision,” he says. “Nearly all studies have found some improvement in corneal curvature and some flattening after cross-linking.

Is corneal cross-linking covered by insurance?

For most insurance policies, corneal cross-linking is medically necessary for someone who has progressive keratoconus. It is also considered medically necessary for those with corneal ectasia post-refractive surgery with documented worsening best spectacle-corrected visual acuity and irregular astigmatism.

How successful is cross-linking?

Corneal cross-linking is very effective – the success rate is more than 95% for an ‘epi-off’ treatment.

What are the side effects of cross-linking?

Here are some common side effects of cross-linking surgery:

Feeling like something is in your eye (called “foreign body sensation”)
Being sensitive to light.
Having dry eye.
Having hazy or blurry vision.
Feeling eye discomfort or mild eye pain.

Is cross-linking procedure painful?

Since the epithelium stays in place, most patients have little to no pain after their cross-linking procedure. But each person’s sensitivity varies, so you may have a little discomfort for the first few days.

Does cross-linking flatten the cornea?

“The cross-linking procedure also reshapes the cornea over time,” he explains. “The cornea will gradually become flatter, as happened in the FDA clinical trial, and best-corrected vision can potentially improve as a result.

What happens if cross-linking fails?

Though it’s not a complication per se, an undesirable outcome of cross-linking would be for the patient’s corneal disease to continue to progress. Dr. Stein says that, in his experience, most cases will remain stable.

Is corneal cross-linking permanent?

Based on corneal cross-linking study results over more than a decade, the beneficial effects of corneal cross-linking appear to last for many years and there is evidence that this strengthening effect may be permanent.