Collagen Cross-Linking

What is Collagen Cross-Linking? | How does Collagen Cross-Linking Work? | How effective is Collagen-Cross-Linking | How can I find out if I'm a candidate?

What is Collagen Cross-Linking?

Corneal Collagen cross-linking is a medical treatment that uses UV light and vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) to strengthen collagen in the human cornea. Collagen cross-linking is not a cure for keratoconus. The aim of this treatment is to arrest progression of Keratoconus or Corneal Ectasia and therefore prevent profound loss of vision or the need for a corneal transplant.

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How does Collagen Cross-Linking work?

Vitamin B2 is applied to the cornea and then the cornea is exposed to a specific wavelength of UV light. The light interacts with vitamin B2 and cornea collagen fibrils leading to changes in its strength and plasticity.

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How effective is Collagen Cross-Linking?

Collagen cross-linking has been proven to be effective in multiple international studies. Professors Theo Seiler and Eberhard Spoerl at the University of Dresden, Germany developed collagen cross-linking between 1993 and 1997. It has been used in Europe as a keratoconus treatment since 1998 and the European Union fully approved it for use in 2007. Cross-linking is also available in Canada. Cross-linking is not yet fully FDA approved in US. FDA clinical trials began in 2008. In late 2011 the FDA awarded orphan drug status to Avedro Inc. (www.avedro.com) for its formulation of vitamin B2 ophthalmic solution to be used in conjunction with the company’s KXL UV light system. All other international systems are off-label in US and none of them are currently applying or conducting studies in the US.

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How can I find out if I am a candidate for Collagen Cross-Linking ?

A detailed cornea consultation and corneal advanced imaging is necessary to determine if you have keratoconus or ectasia and if you are a candidate for cross-linking treatment.

The Princeton Eye Group is one of 100 US sites selected to participate in a Phase 3, multi-center, randomized, controlled evaluation to study accelerated corneal collagen cross-linking with KXLSystem (Avedro) in eyes with keratoconus or corneal ectasia after refractive surgery (http://acosurgery.org/initiatives.asp )

Dr. Anita Miedziak, cornea specialist with The Princeton Eye Group is a Principal Investigator in KXL study and is currently evaluating individuals with progressive keratoconus and corneal ectasia for participation in the cross-linking study.

If you have keratoconus or corneal ectasia and would like to learn if you are a candidate for cross linking treatment please contact the Princeton Eye Group and Ms. Janet Bergen (Study Coordinator) at 609 924 9200 or call 609 921 9437 and request a corneal consultation with Dr. Miedziak

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