Avedro | Corneal cross-linking
The FDA recently approved
this game-changing treat-
ment for progressive kera-
toconus, a disease in which
the normally round cornea
thins and begins to bulge
into a cone-like shape.
Here's how it works: You
debride the
corneal epitheli-
um before apply-
ing a 30-minute
soak with a
riboflavin formu-
lation. After the
soak, you use the
company's KXL
System to apply ultraviolet
light to the eye for 30 minutes. Riboflavin, plus UV light, plus oxygen
creates a chemical reaction that helps generate collagen fibers in the
cornea. Those fibers create crosslinks that stiffen the corneal tissue
to prevent keratoconus from getting worse.
Avedro has started shipping the KXL System to facilities and has
begun manufacturing the riboflavin formulations, which will be avail-
able in the fall. A starter package costs about $86,000, which
includes the KXL System and riboflavin treatments for 20 eyes (10
patients). Ongoing purchases of the riboflavin formulations will cost
an average of $500 per eye.
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