Northeastern Eye Institute is proud to offer Epioxa®, the first and only FDA-approved epithelium-on, oxygen-enriched corneal cross-linking treatment for keratoconus. This minimally invasive treatment is designed to strengthen the cornea and help stop the progression of keratoconus without removing the corneal epithelium.

What Is Epioxa®?
Epioxa is an advanced form of corneal collagen cross-linking used to treat keratoconus in adults and pediatric patients age 13 and older.

Corneal cross-linking works by applying riboflavin eye drops to the cornea and activating them with ultraviolet (UV-A) light. This process creates additional bonds within the corneal tissue, helping strengthen and stabilize the cornea.

Epioxa uses an epithelium-on, or “epi-on,” approach. This means the cornea’s protective outer layer remains intact during treatment.

How Is Epioxa Different from Traditional Corneal Cross-Linking?
Traditional epithelium-off, or “epi-off,” corneal cross-linking requires the outer layer of the cornea to be removed before treatment.

With Epioxa, the epithelium remains intact. This minimally invasive approach offers several potential benefits, including:

• No removal of the corneal epithelium
• Improved patient comfort
• Faster recovery
• Reduced risk of infection and other serious adverse events associated with removal of the epithelium
• Treatment for eligible corneas as thin as 325 microns
• Epioxa is also FDA-approved for the treatment of keratoconus without requiring documented progression of the disease before treatment.

What to Expect During Epioxa Treatment
Before treatment, numbing eye drops are applied to keep you comfortable. Epioxa riboflavin eye drops are then applied to the surface of the eye without removing the corneal epithelium.

The treatment uses the O₂n™ System and Boost Goggles® to provide oxygen-enriched corneal cross-linking while controlled UV-A light activates the riboflavin within the cornea.

Your NEI cornea specialist will provide detailed instructions about what to expect before, during and after your procedure.

Is Epioxa Right for Me?
Epioxa is FDA-approved to treat keratoconus in adults and pediatric patients age 13 and older. However, every patient’s eyes and stage of keratoconus are different.

A comprehensive evaluation with a cornea specialist is the best way to determine whether Epioxa or another keratoconus treatment is appropriate for you.

Advanced Keratoconus Care at Northeastern Eye Institute
Northeastern Eye Institute provides comprehensive evaluation and treatment for patients with keratoconus throughout Northeast Pennsylvania. Our experienced corneal specialists, Thomas S. Boland, MD, and Christopher S. Jordan, MD, offer personalized treatment options based on each patient’s individual condition and visual needs.

If you have been diagnosed with keratoconus or are concerned about changes in your vision, schedule an evaluation with our team to learn more about Epioxa and your treatment options.