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Connect with a doctor who performs the only FDA-approved cross-linking procedure and can discuss referrals for imaging or a corneal consultation.

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iDetectives can play a lifelong role in keratoconus care

Thanks to your critical role in intervention, iLink® corneal cross-linking* may slow or halt progressive keratoconus to preserve your patient’s vision.

But the story doesn’t end there. As an iDetective, you have an ongoing opportunity to manage your patient’s vision care and monitor the condition to keep keratoconus from calling the shots.

What’s next for you and your patients?

By promptly referring patients for a keratoconus or cross-linking consult, you can partner with an iLink® provider, clueing them in when you suspect keratoconus and collaborating on the best course of action in the patients’ follow-up care after the diagnosis is confirmed.

Now that you’ve given patients peace of mind by addressing their progressive keratoconus with iLink®, you can focus on delivering ongoing care to help them get the most out of their vision. Most optometrists agree that follow-up care after iLink® is similar to photorefractive keratometry. There is no global period for iLink® corneal cross-linking.

Follow-up care might include†:

  • Between Days 1-7

    Post-iLink® care with an ophthalmologist for 1 or 2 visits:

    • Applying topical antibiotics and steroids
    • Using eye lubricants frequently
    • Advising patients not to rub their eyes
    • Removing the bandage contact lens once the epithelium has healed
    • Prescribing pain medication as needed

    Keratoconus is a bilateral disease

    Following the initial iLink® procedure, treatment for the second eye affected by progressive keratoconus should be scheduled as soon as possible.

  • During Month 1

    Ongoing optometrist support:

    • View optical coherence tomography imaging
      • A line of demarcation may be seen in the stroma
    • Assess the patient’s vision
      • The cornea may steepen then flatten over the next few months
      • Patients may experience transient corneal haze
    • Evaluate the patient for glasses and contact lens prescriptions

    Common codes for care following iLink®:

    • Office visits (9921X)
    • Contact lens fitting for keratoconus
      (92072)
    • Scleral lenses (V2531)‡

  • Months 3, 6, and 12

    Ongoing optometrist support:

    • Continue monitoring topography
      • CPT Code 92025
    • Assess the patient’s vision

    Common ICD-10 codes for topography performed following iLink®:

    • Keratoconus, unstable (H18.62X)
    • Corneal ectasia (H18.711)
    • Keratoconus, unspecified (H18.60X)
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Key Reminders

It’s important to help set patient expectations.
Remind your patients that iLink® is not a refractive procedure and they will still need glasses or contact lenses.

Most patients may return to specialty lenses after a period ranging from 1 week to 3 months. Inform patients that their vision may fluctuate slightly after treatment.

There is NO GLOBAL PERIOD for an iLink® procedure. Follow-up appointments can be billed to insurance as office visits using E/M codes 9921X.

Learn more about your role in keratoconus detection and referral

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A win for your patients and your practice

The benefits of early keratoconus detection, iLink® referral, and treatment do more than just slow or halt disease progression to help preserve vision.

Benefits to your Patients

$8,677 in direct medical cost savings per patient1 $43,759 reduction in lifetime costs per patient1 1.88 increase in quality-of-life years1

Benefits to your Practice

Patient retention and loyalty Further establish your practice reputation Optimize the use of your refractive toolbox

Keratoconus detection is just the beginning

If you have a patient who you suspect has keratoconus, it’s time to #FollowTheClues.

 Get Started

*Using Photrexa® Viscous (riboflavin 5’-phosphate in 20% dextran ophthalmic solution), Photrexa® (riboflavin 5’-phosphate ophthalmic solution), and the KXL® system, the iLink® corneal cross-linking procedure from Glaukos is the only FDA-approved therapeutic treatment for patients with progressive keratoconus and corneal ectasia following refractive surgery.§2

†The timing and frequency of office visits and specific follow-up care is at the discretion of healthcare professionals and may vary by patient.

‡There are multiple HCPCS codes for the prescribing of different types of medically necessary contact lenses.

§Photrexa® Viscous and Photrexa® are manufactured for Avedro. The KXL® system is manufactured by Avedro. Avedro is a wholly owned subsidiary of Glaukos Corporation.

REFERENCES

  1. Lindstrom R, Berdahl J, Donnenfeld E, et al. Corneal cross-linking versus conventional management for keratoconus: a lifetime economic model. J Med Econ. 2021;24(1):410-420.
  2. Photrexa. Prescribing information. Avedro; 2022.

Indications

Photrexa® Viscous (riboflavin 5’-phosphate in 20% dextran ophthalmic solution) and Photrexa® (riboflavin 5’-phosphate ophthalmic solution) are indicated for use with the KXL System in corneal collagen cross-linking for the treatment of progressive keratoconus and corneal ectasia following refractive surgery.*1

Important Safety Information

Corneal collagen cross-linking should not be performed on pregnant women.

Ulcerative keratitis can occur. Patients should be monitored for resolution of epithelial defects. The most common ocular adverse reaction was corneal opacity (haze). Other ocular side effects include punctate keratitis, corneal striae, dry eye, corneal epithelium defect, eye pain, light sensitivity, reduced visual acuity, and blurred vision.

These are not all the side effects of the corneal collagen cross-linking treatment. For more information, click View Prescribing Information button below to obtain the FDA-approved product labeling.

You are encouraged to report all side effects to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

*Photrexa® Viscous and Photrexa® are manufactured for Avedro. The KXL® System is manufactured by Avedro. Avedro is a wholly owned subsidiary of Glaukos Corporation.

Reference

1. Photrexa Prescribing Information. Burlington, MA: Avedro, a Glaukos company 2022.

View Prescribing Information