Keratoconus & iLink Corneal Crosslinking
Keratoconus
What is Keratoconus
Keratoconus, often referred to as “KC,”is a non-inflammatory eye condition in which the typically round dome-shaped cornea progressively thins and weakens, causing the development of a conelike bulge and optical irregularity of the cornea. This causes “static” in your vision and can result in significant visual impairment.
Symptoms
Keratoconus typically first appears in individuals who are in their late teens or early twenties, and may progress for 10-20 years and then slow or stabilize. Each eye may be affected differently. In the early stages of keratoconus, people might experience:
• Slight blurring of vision
• Distortion of vision
• Increased sensitivity to light
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.
iLink Corneal Crosslinking
What is iLink Corneal Crosslinking
NOT ALL corneal cross-linking treatments are the same. We believe in providing our patients with the best care and following strick FDA guidelines for the services we provide. iLink™ is the only FDA-approved corneal cross-linking procedure that slows or halts progressive keratoconus. Furthermore, ONLY iLink is FDA-approved & covered by insurance.
iLink™ corneal cross-linking is a minimally invasive outpatient procedure that combines the use of ultraviolet light and specially formulated eye drops to stiffen and strengthen corneas that have 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.
Is iLink™ Covered by Insurance?
The medical necessity of iLink™ has become widely recognized. As a result, commercial insurance coverage for the procedure is now over 95% in the United States. Doctor Shultz and our team will perform all the tests necessary then work with your insurance provider to determine if they will cover the procedure.