Corneal Cross-Linking

12 May Corneal Cross-Linking

Catalina Eyecare, P.C. and Ovette Villavicencio, M.D., Ph.D. are excited to announce the FDA approval of a new device for the treatment of keratoconus using Corneal Collagen Cross-Linking, which can slow or even stop the progression of keratoconus.  Avedro, Inc., an ophthalmic pharmaceutical and medical device company, has recently received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for Photrexa Viscous, Photrexa and the KXL Collagen Cross-Linking System.

Dr. Villavicencio is proud to have been part of a nationwide team involved in the Avedro study, which resulted in the FDA approval of this new device and treatment.  Dr. Villavicencio has been performing Collagen Cross-Linking since 2014, as part of the KXL Study in Indianapolis, IN.  He is excited to soon be able to offer this technology to the Tucson and Southern Arizona Area.

Keratoconus is an eye disease that causes the normally round cornea to become thin and bulge into a cone-like shape.  In its advanced stages this disease can severely affect vision and make simple everyday tasks such as driving a car, reading a book or watching television difficult or impossible.  Many patients are commonly diagnosed with mild astigmatism at the onset of puberty, and are later diagnosed with keratoconus in their teens or early 20’s.  Since keratoconus can be progressive, it’s important to have an early diagnosis so eye doctors have the opportunity to properly treat the disease.

In the past, many patients with keratoconus had to undergo a cornea transplant if the disease continue to progress.  However, with advancements in treatment options such as Collagen Cross-Linking (CXL), modern medicine may be able to slow or stop the progression of the keratoconus.  CXL uses ultraviolet light, combined with riboflavin to cause a change in the collagen fibers at the molecular level.  This increases collagen bonds, or cross-links, that can make the cornea stronger.  Strengthening the cornea slows, and for many patients stops, progressive keratoconus and corneal ectasia.

Collagen Cross-Linking Benefits:  Slows or Halts Progressive Keratoconus; Requires A Single One-Hour Treatment; Zero Injections; Zero Stitches; Zero Incisions; Fast Recovery