Keratoconus Treatment in Northeast Pennsylvania

Keratoconus is a progressive eye condition that occurs when the cornea—the clear, dome-shaped front surface of the eye—thins and begins to bulge outward into a cone-like shape. As the shape of the cornea changes, vision can become increasingly distorted or blurred.

At Northeastern Eye Institute, our experienced eye care team offers advanced evaluation and treatment options for patients with keratoconus, including corneal cross-linking with Epioxa®, an epithelium-on treatment designed to strengthen the cornea without removal of the corneal epithelium.

What Is Keratoconus?

A healthy cornea has a smooth, rounded shape that helps focus light properly inside the eye. With keratoconus, the cornea gradually becomes thinner and more irregular in shape. This can interfere with the eye’s ability to focus clearly and may cause frequent changes in vision.

Keratoconus often begins during the teenage or young adult years and can progress over time. Because progression can lead to more significant changes in the cornea and vision, early diagnosis and ongoing monitoring are important.

eye corneal
Symptoms of Keratoconus
Symptoms can vary depending on the severity and progression of the condition and may include:
1

Blurred or distorted vision

2

Increasing sensitivity to light or glare

3

Difficulty seeing at night

4

Frequent changes in an eyeglass prescription

5

Increasing astigmatism

6

Difficulty achieving clear vision with glasses

How Is Keratoconus Treated?

Treatment depends on the severity of keratoconus and whether the condition is progressing.

Glasses or specialty contact lenses may help improve vision by correcting the refractive changes caused by an irregularly shaped cornea. However, vision correction alone does not address the underlying structural changes occurring within the cornea.

Corneal collagen cross-linking is another treatment option for keratoconus. Cross-linking uses riboflavin and ultraviolet light to strengthen the corneal tissue.

For patients with advanced disease, additional treatment options, including corneal transplantation, may be considered.

Corneal eye checkup
Epioxa® Epithelium-On Corneal Cross-Linking

Northeastern Eye Institute is pleased to offer Epioxa®, an FDA-approved epithelium-on corneal cross-linking treatment for keratoconus in adults and pediatric patients age 13 and older.

Unlike traditional corneal cross-linking, Epioxa does not require removal of the corneal epithelium, the outermost layer of the cornea, during treatment. Epioxa is designed to strengthen the cornea and slow the progression of keratoconus.

Learn More About Epioxa® →

an elderly man eye closeup, eye with  diagnosed keratoconus corneal thinning
Why Choose Northeastern Eye Institute for Keratoconus Care?

Northeastern Eye Institute’s Cornea Center is led by experienced corneal specialists Thomas S. Boland, MD, and Christopher S. Jordan, MD. With extensive experience diagnosing and treating corneal disorders, our team provides personalized care for patients with keratoconus, from comprehensive evaluation and ongoing monitoring to advanced treatment options such as corneal cross-linking.

The Cornea Center has a long history of advancing corneal care in Northeastern Pennsylvania, including participation in keratoconus and FDA research studies.

Happy mature couple laughing outdoors

Our Corneal Eye Care Doctors

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