Exciting New Corneal Cross-Linking Treatment for People with Keratoconus

Dr. Walter Whitley, our Director of Optometric Services, and Dr. Elizabeth Yeu, our Cornea, Cataract and Refractive Surgeon here at Virginia Eye Consultants are very excited about the recent FDA approval for Corneal Collagen Cross-Linking by Avedro.

“Now we finally have a treatment for our patients who are suffering from keratoconus,” said Dr. Whitley. “Simply put, keratoconus is thinning and bulging of the front surface of the eye – which is the cornea. This disease can cause decreased vision, blurring and scarring which — worst case scenario — can lead to patients needing a corneal transplant.”

Dr. Yeu concurs. “This is something we’ve been waiting for for years. It’s the only therapy that allows us to halt the progression of keratoconus. Prior to the availability of this, there were glasses, contact lenses, hard contact lenses, bigger contact lenses…but nothing could actually slow keratoconus down, until now. To have this therapy where we can help our patients is huge!”

Simply put, Corneal Cross-Linking uses ultraviolet light combined with riboflavin to cause a change in the collagen fibers at the molecular level; increasing collagen bonds — or cross-links — that can make the cornea stronger.

Virginia Eye Consultants is working with Avedro to bring this new treatment option to our patients as soon as possible. We look forward to helping improve the quality of life for our patients who are living with keratoconus in the very near future.