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Each year on November 10th, we celebrate World Keratoconus Day, an important awareness event sponsored by the National Keratoconus Foundation. To help celebrate, we’re highlighting members from the Living with KC community who are sharing their stories, as well as discussing the importance of early diagnosis and treatment of progressive keratoconus.

One of the more common questions that we’ve seen from the Living with Keratoconus community is: Will corneal cross-linking help my vision? In this blog, we’re discussing whether iLink FDA-approved cross-linking helps improve vision, and if corrective lenses will be needed.

It’s important to know that recovery is different for everyone. We’re providing you with a full iLink Recovery Guide below, which includes information on how to prepare for your procedure, when you can expect to return to your normal routine, and suggested essentials. Continue reading to learn more!

If you’ve never asked for a second opinion before, the decision can feel overwhelming, so we’re here to help. Read our blog to determine if you should receive a second opinion on your recommended keratoconus treatment options.

We all know that health insurance coverage can be a pain to navigate, regardless of the situation! To help clear up any confusion, we’re highlighting everything you need to know about insurance coverage for iLink FDA-approved cross-linking.

With any medical procedure, one of the first questions that comes to mind is “Is it painful?” Cross-linking is no exception. If you or someone you know is considering getting iLink™ FDA-approved cross-linking to treat progressive keratoconus and wondering if the procedure is painful, you are certainly not alone. This is an important question to be asking!

Whatever your ideal warm-weather plans may be, it’s important to take the time to prioritize your eye health, especially if you wear contact lenses. To make the most of your summer plans, we’re sharing how best to care for your contact lenses, including tips on preparing for warm-weather activities, as well as some guidelines on what to do and what not to do in order to protect your eyes.

If you or someone you know has keratoconus, it is likely that you have heard of iLink™ FDA-approved corneal cross-linking. When it comes to iLink, we want to help answer as many of your questions as possible, including how long it takes to recover from FDA-approved cross-linking and what that process may look like for you.

Whether you’re traveling near or far, for work or for pleasure, worrying about your eye health shouldn’t get in the way. Eye conditions, including keratoconus, shouldn’t prevent you from living your life and enjoying what you love. So, book the ticket, mark your calendar, and pack your bags!

If your doctor has recommended iLink FDA-approved corneal cross-linking— the first and only FDA-approved therapeutic treatment that stiffens the cornea to slow or halt the progression of keratoconus, then you may now be eligible to receive up to $100 towards your non-reimbursable copay expenses through our new patient support program.

For over 40 years, Jimmy learned to live with and manage his progressive keratoconus using a contact lens. At the time, this was the only available treatment option for keratoconus aside from a corneal transplant. However, his contact lens was only treating the symptoms of his keratoconus, and not the underlying cause. As his keratoconus continued to progress and negatively impact his life, potentially needing corneal transplant became a concern.

If untreated, keratoconus may result in significant vision loss and can lead to a corneal transplant in severe cases. However, there are various FDA-approved treatment options available that work to treat the symptoms caused by the thinning and bulging of the cornea.

A corneal transplant may be the only option when the cornea becomes dangerously thin or when sufficient vision can no longer be achieved by contact lenses due to corneal steepening, scarring, or lens intolerance. We’ve compiled some information for you, including an overview of the connection between keratoconus and corneal donations, organ donations, organizations you should be aware of, and how to become a donor. Keep reading to learn more.

Whether you were recently diagnosed with keratoconus, or have been living with it for years, you may be wondering more about this lesser-known – and often misdiagnosed – eye condition. If you’re not familiar, keratoconus, often referred to as KC, is an eye condition in which the cornea weakens and thins over time, causing the development of a cone-like bulge and optical irregularity of the cornea. The condition may result in significant vision loss and can require a corneal transplant in severe cases.

For people diagnosed with progressive keratoconus, it’s likely that iLink FDA-approved cross-linking will be recommended to halt or slow the progression of the condition. Whether your cross-linking procedure is scheduled or you’ve been considering it for a while now, you may be interested in learning more about this minimally invasive procedure.

In June 2019, fourteen years after receiving Lasik to fix her vision, Trayci, 51, noticed her eyesight was declining again. Soon after, she was diagnosed with progressive keratoconus, a rare eye disease in which the cornea weakens and thins over time, causing a cone-like bulge and optical irregularity.

Although there are indications that the prevalence of keratoconus may be rising, access to treatment is decreasing for many. Without insurance, keratoconus treatments can cost thousands of dollars — essentially forcing some people to choose between their vision and other significant, necessary expenses or their family’s savings.

When Jackson’s vision became progressively worse, he decided it was time to find some answers. He was then diagnosed with keratoconus. His doctor recommended that Jackson undergo iLink FDA-approved cross-linking as soon as possible to slow or halt the progression of the condition to preserve his vision.

If you or a loved one is living with keratoconus, you may be familiar with prescription contact lenses to help with blurry or distorted vision. Contact lenses are a common part of a person’s keratoconus journey and can range from soft contact lenses to Rigid Gas Permeable (RGP) lenses.

Do you feel like you’re affected by allergies year-round? You’re not alone! Hay fever affects about 6.1 million children and 20 million adults. While many people associate allergy season with the fall or spring, few know there are different allergens that can make your symptoms flare-up year-round.

If you’re living with keratoconus, you may be relieved to learn that there are several treatments available. Options include contact lenses, Intacs, iLink FDA-approved cross-linking for progressive keratoconus, or in some advanced cases, a corneal transplant.

Do you consider yourself a good driver? Most of us should feel confident behind the wheel, but do you ever feel that your driving ability changes when the sun goes down?

With so much information available at our fingertips – through family, friends, doctors, and the internet, it’s hard to know exactly what’s true and what’s not. While some sources may seem legitimate, the information provided may actually be embellished or straight-up fiction.

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought a lot of changes and new challenges to our lives, including social distancing, wearing a face mask, cancelling events, and stocking up on cleaning and sanitizing products. Another significant challenge that many people are facing now is working or learning from home.

At some point during the current COVID-19 pandemic, every person has probably asked themselves “Is this worth the risk?” when deciding whether or not to leave their home. As a result, you may be experiencing decision fatigue.

For many people living with keratoconus, contact lenses or glasses are often prescribed as the first treatment option. While these treatments help to manage some of the symptoms of keratoconus, they do not stop the progression of the condition.

Amid the spread of COVID-19, many states have taken appropriate precautionary measures provided by professional organizations in their operating procedures. Some may have even shut down temporarily, resulting in doctor’s offices being closed and elective surgeries being canceled.

Down syndrome can affect the maturing eye which can impact the proper development of vision in children and adults. More than half of people with Down syndrome experience an eye disease at some point in their lives, so caregivers and doctors should monitor their vision closely.

If your doctor has recommended FDA-approved corneal cross-linking— the first and only FDA-approved therapeutic treatment that stiffens the cornea to slow or halt the progression of keratoconus, then you may now be eligible to receive up to $100 towards…

When it comes to a timeline of when to receive an eye exam, it’s different for everyone. According to Prevent Blindness, how frequently you should be receiving exams depends on…

Here in the Living with KC community, we hope to clear up some confusion around COVID-19 and your eye health. Keep reading to learn ways to help prevent yourself from contracting the virus…

Mississippi Braves broadcaster Chris Harris overcame keratoconus to thrive in the booth. He discusses his journey living with disease, undergoing cross-linking, and life after the procedure.

During their initial appointment, the corneal specialist explained that 5-15% of people with Down syndrome also have keratoconus and recommended that Sarah consider FDA-approved corneal cross-linking…

Let’s be honest, self-esteem can be tricky – some days you have it, and some days you just don’t. For those living with keratoconus, the condition can add another layer of complexity…

In the United States, a rare disease is defined as a condition that affects fewer than 200,000 people. Keratoconus, a progressive eye condition in which the cornea weakens and thins over time…

In middle school, Baylen, a student from Nebraska, began suffering from debilitating headaches that affected his schoolwork and participation in sports and activities.

After more than 10 years, Sherri learned the true reason behind her son’s vision and attention issues – he was living with a rare eye disease called keratoconus…

*The number of insurance carriers covering cross-linking and the number of covered lives listed here have been updated as of April 5th 2019. To view the current list of insurance plans with positive coverage policies, go to the Insurance Information page.  Providence...

After more than 10 years, Sherri learned the true reason behind her son’s vision and attention issues – he was living with a rare eye disease called keratoconus…

In April 2019, Stephen (Steph) Curry, an American professional basketball player for the Golden State Warriors, announced that he is living with keratoconus…

Back by popular demand, the National Keratoconus Foundation has announced the first Keratoconus Family Symposium of 2019! Building upon three successful events last year, this next symposium will take place on March 23, 2019, at the University of Houston College of...

Ultimately, Jessa decided on the only FDA approved therapeutic cross-linking treatment to slow the progression of her keratoconus…

“Brandon Williams sat in his usual seat near the back of the Ravens’ meeting room, but something was wrong. The dry-erase board down front had dissolved into a blur of colors and squiggles. Williams squinted and blinked furiously but couldn’t bring the image into...

As a child, Cedric endured a number of life-threatening illnesses and overcame them against all odds, graduating high school in 2011 and finding a job that he loves. However, Cedric’s unexpected keratoconus diagnosis threatened his progress. Despite everything,...

WCVB recently highlighted the family’s journey with keratoconus, including Michael and Angelo’s decision to receive FDA-approved corneal cross-linking, a treatment that was not available when their mom was navigating her treatment options.

Shanice, a semi-professional football player, isn’t letting keratoconus stop her from stepping onto the field this upcoming season. As a tight end for the Richmond Black Widows, Shanice worried that certain specialty lenses or a corneal transplant would affect her...

*The number of insurance carriers covering cross-linking and the number of covered lives listed here have been updated as of September 25th 2018. To view the current list of insurance plans with positive coverage policies, go to the Insurance Information page.  ...

For individuals and families who are living with keratoconus, it’s imperative to fully understand the diagnosis and receive proper information about potential treatments and next steps. Effective management options like corneal cross-linking, intacs, and contact...

Upcoming Event: NKCF to Host Second Keratoconus Family Symposium For individuals living with keratoconus, understanding their diagnosis and potential treatment options can be difficult. To help provide important information to those affected by this condition, the...

For keratoconus patient Kiana, attaining an early diagnosis and corneal cross-linking proved crucial to managing her condition long-term. At age 18, Kiana started noticing simple vision problems that soon worsened – eventually culminating in her inability to see the...

We recently asked the Living with KC community to describe keratoconus in one word. Here’s a sampling of the responses: When looking at this feedback, we want you to emphasize that you are not alone in your keratoconus journey. Last month we had the opportunity to...

For those living with the disease, understanding keratoconus can be difficult, especially the complexity of the condition and how it can affect your eyesight. Often, people first hear about keratoconus when they are newly diagnosed. In general, knowledge of the...

NKCF to Host First Keratoconus Family Symposium at Gavin Herbert Eye Institute For families affected by keratoconus, the path from diagnosis to treatment can be a difficult process as everyone works to understand and preserve the eye health and long term vision of...