A Honolulu eye practice says it has become the first in Hawaii to offer a new treatment for keratoconus, a progressive eye condition, that skips the painful removal of corneal tissue required by older methods. Aloha Laser Vision announced on Wednesday that it is now providing Epioxa, an FDA-approved epithelium-on, or epi-on, cross-linking treatment designed for patients 13 and older with progressive keratoconus.
What Keratoconus Does to the Eye
Keratoconus is a corneal disease, according to EIN Presswire. Corneal cross-linking is a treatment for the condition.
Aloha Laser Vision has offered standard cross-linking therapy for more than 15 years, and the practice began performing the traditional epithelium-off version shortly after it became available in Hawaii, the release notes.
A Faster, Less Invasive Alternative
Epioxa is designed to work with the epithelium left in place instead of removed, according to the release. The in-office procedure takes roughly 20 to 25 minutes per eye and is performed in three stages: application of treatment drops, fitting of oxygen-enriched goggles, and delivery of a controlled dose of ultraviolet light. Patients may experience temporary light sensitivity, redness, or blurred vision afterward, effects the clinic compares to a mild sunburn on the eye. Some patients can have their second eye treated about a week after the first, per the same report.
Dr. Alan Faulkner, a board-certified ophthalmologist and director of Aloha Laser Vision who has practiced in Hawaii for more than 20 years, announced the arrival of the treatment. He said the practice’s years of experience with epi-off cross-linking informed its evaluation of the newer epi-on option, calling it a natural next step.
Eligibility, Screening, and Who Should Wait
Epioxa may not be recommended for individuals who have a history of herpetic keratitis, have known sensitivity to the treatment drops, or have had cataract surgery without a UV-blocking lens implant, according to the release. Candidacy is determined through corneal mapping, thickness measurements, and a review of medical history, the practice says. Faulkner said early evaluation matters because cross-linking works best before significant corneal change has occurred, and he said his goal is for Hawaii patients to access current keratoconus care without having to travel to the mainland.
Three-year extension results described by BioSpace reported a sustained 1.9-diopter improvement in maximum corneal curvature from baseline after a single treatment.
Paying for the Procedure
Aloha Laser Vision says it worked with Hawaii insurance carriers to establish reimbursement pathways for Epioxa, including buy-and-bill arrangements and specialty pharmacy coordination, with patient benefits varying by plan.
