At this time, no insurance carriers are covering collagen cross linking. You can use Flex spending accounts, and we do offer financing for the procedure.  Please ask us about these options.

Dr. Levinson will discuss the pros and cons of both techniques, and you will be given a choice.

Most people can go back to work the next day after epi-on and in 1-2 days after epi-off.

You eye is given numbing eye drops and you are awake. You will feel slight discomfort from the eyelid holder which helps to keep your eye open.  There is also some discomfort associated with staring at a bright light.

The epi-on CXL is performed in the procedure room at the hospital and the riboflavin eye drops are administered for 20 minutes, and then the cornea is exposed to 30 minutes of UV light.  Then a contact lens is placed on the eye for comfort. In both techniques, you will be given eye drops to…Read more

The epi-on CXL is performed in our office and the riboflavin eye drops are administered for 60 minutes, and then the cornea is exposed to 10 minutes of UV light.  Then a contact lens is placed on the eye for comfort.

Epithelium-on is a newer technique and there are fewer scientific papers to support long-term results.

Epithelium-on CXL has minimal discomfort after the procedure, and most people have no discomfort after 12-24 hours. Contact lens use can be restarted after 48-72 hours.

Removing the epithelium of the cornea can cause pain and discomfort for 1 week or more.  There is also a small risk of infection, and delayed healing of the epithelium.  We need to hold off on restarting contact lens use until the epithelium is fully healed. In patients with prior eye surgery, such as LASIK,…Read more

Epi-off CXL has the most scientific evidence to support its effect and this is the version that has been performed most frequently world-wide.