Corneal Cross-Linking
Your vision may be severely blurred and distorted due to a disease known as progressive keratoconus.
Corneal cross-linking (CXL) is the only treatment that can stop this serious issue in its tracks.
Find out why so many come to Cohen Eye Associates in St. Louis, MO, for vision-saving CXL.
Why You Might Need Corneal Cross-Linking
Corneal cross-linking is a treatment for the eye disease known as keratoconus. Keratoconus causes your cornea, which is the front part of your eye, to degrade over time. This weakening leads to a bulging of the cornea, which can severely blur and distort your vision.
Some studies suggest that keratoconus occurs in as many as 1 in 500 people. While symptoms may start in one eye and seem mild at first, this condition typically worsens for as long as two decades. If left untreated, the only solution may be a major and costly corneal transplant surgery.
Corneal cross-linking is the only procedure that can stop your progressive keratoconus from worsening now while preventing more vision-related problems in the future.
Symptoms of Keratoconus
Symptoms of progressive keratoconus may not be noticeable until the condition worsens. As a patient's corneas deteriorate, these are serious warning signs they may experience:
Sharp reflections that can be seen when a light shines on the outside of the cornea.
A yellowish or brownish ring that appears around the cornea.
Vertical lines on the cornea that disappear when the cornea experiences pressure.
Other symptoms patients may experience include:
- Corneal swelling
- Light sensitivity
- Irritation
- Strain
- Worsened vision
- Corneal blisters
Causes of
Keratoconus
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Keratoconus is a complex disease that is still not fully understood. Scientists theorize three main causes: family history, underlying medical disorders, and environmental risk factors.
Despite an unclear understanding of the reason you might have keratoconus, one thing is clear: it must be treated. CXL is the best way to do so without the last resort of a corneal transplant.
See Us in St. Louis Today Ophthalmology Experts You Can Trust
The time to act is now. Untreated keratoconus will only cause you more severe problems in the future. With a disease as serious as keratoconus, you need a doctor you can entrust your eyes to.
Dr. Bruce H. Cohen is a laser vision correction specialist who can accurately diagnose you, and follow through with excellent treatment. His expertise led to him being named one of the top 100 laser vision surgeons in the country by TLC Laser Vision Centers, Inc.
The other members of his team include Dr. Kathryn L. Noonan, who has over two decades of experience at St. Louis' Cohen Eye Associates, and Dr. Nancy M. Buchser whose experience spans complex eye surgeries and minimally invasive procedures. Contact our practice today to learn about CXL.
(314) 361-5003
Cornea Care With Doctors St. Louis Trusts
Lisa Pletz
2022
Love the caring, cheerful, & helpfulness of this staff ! Had all the answers I needed. Even though my appointment was on a holiday they didn’t seem to mind at all
View on GoogleBarbara Nelson
2022
Doctor Buchser is the finest doctor I have encountered in years! She took the bull by the horns and called my primary physicians office and had them do what they should have been doing for two years !! When I called her office on a Monday morning and told them about my sudden loss of vision, they had me come in immediately ! She spent two hours running tests and totally explaining everything to me. All the office people were extremely kind.
View on GoogleThe Cross-Linking Procedure Timeline
Cross-Linking's Simple Steps
Typical corneal cross-linking treatment lasts 30 to 60 minutes.
Cross-Linking Aftercare
Following your CXL procedure, Dr. Cohen and his ophthalmology team will provide simple corneal care instructions to follow:
Medications
If you experience corneal discomfort, follow the medication regimen laid out by Dr. Cohen.
Contact Lens
Dr. Cohen and his team will place a contact lens on your eye to encourage healing. If it falls out, call us instead of trying to replace the contact lens yourself.
Light Sensitivity
Your recovering corneas may cause you to experience increased sensitivity to light. Sunglasses can help in this regard, as well as avoiding bright areas if possible.
No Rubbing
For a full five days after the procedure, you should not rub your eyes under any circumstance. This allows for better corneal healing.
In the rare instance you experience any complications, do not hesitate to call our St. Louis office. We offer emergency eye care if needed and are confident our decades of ophthalmology experience will allow us to address your issue.
The Cost of Cross-Linking
The typical cost of cross-linking ranges from $2,500-$4,000 per eye. This CXL cost is significantly less than that of a corneal transplant, which you will need if your keratoconus goes untreated. Additionally, many insurance companies have started covering CXL since it is a medical necessity.
How We Help Patients Pay
Our team knows that corneal health is of the utmost importance. We pride ourselves on helping patients fit much-needed cross-linking into their budget. To this end, we accept a variety of HMO and PPO insurance plans and will file insurance forms on your behalf.
Another way we help make CXL affordable is by accepting CareCredit®. CareCredit allows you to pay for your cross-linking in low-interest and interest-free monthly installment payments.
St. Louis Loves Our Work
Ruth Ann Henke
2020
Great office and great doctors. I have seen both Dr. Cohen and Dr. Noonan. I am very impressed with them, as well as all the staff. I feel confident in their expertise.
View on GoogleDonna Burds
2021
Everyone with whom I interacted at Cohen Eye Associates was friendly and professional. Each person took whatever time was needed to assess my vision and answer my questions.
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