Tennessee’s first FDA-approved corneal cross-linking procedure for the treatment of progressive keratoconus and post-LASIK ectasia preformed

This recently U.S. FDA-approved procedure may help to delay or eliminate the progression of vision loss for those with these rare corneal diseases.

The first FDA-approved corneal cross-linking procedure in Tennessee was performed by Dr. Benyamin Y. Ebrahim, MD at Wang Vision 3D Cataract & LASIK Center on 12/15/2016. This newly U.S. FDA-approved procedure may help to delay or eliminate the progression of vision loss for those with these rare corneal diseases.

Keratoconus and corneal ectasia are progressive eye diseases in which the cornea thins and bulges forward in a conical shape. This is a result of weakling of tiny collagen fibers in the cornea which normally help it to hold it shape. Cross-linking works by strengthening natural bonds between corneal collagen fibers. It is performed by saturating the cornea with Riboflavin (Vitamin B2) and then activating it with ultraviolet light. The entire procedure takes about an hour and a half.

Germany first introduced the procedure in 1998 and countries in Europe have offered the approved treatment for many years. In the United States physicians have eagerly awaited the approval of this treatment. The U.S. FDA approved the procedure by Avedro in April 2016, though it took months for the device and formulations to become available and to start treatments.

Previously patients were able to be treated only under clinical trials or by the use of non-approved and “off label" devices. Wang Vision 3D Cataract & LASIK Center was previously among the sites participating in one of the FDA clinical trials for this treatment device. Dr. Ming Wang of Wang Vision 3D Cataract & LASIK Center announced on 11/8/2012 that he performed the state's first cross-linking procedure as part of this trial.

“We are very excited that we will be the first to introduce this newly approved eye procedure to Tennessee once again,” said Benyamin Y. Ebrahim, a fellowship trained cornea, external disease, refractive surgery specialist.

Mr. Jonathan Montgomery is a 27-year-old K9 handler for Interquest Detection Canines who has experienced progressive vision loss associated with keratoconus. He was excited to become the first patient in Tennessee to receive the FDA-approved cross-linking treatment 12/15/2016.
For information about the new cross-linking procedure and to schedule an evaluation for keratoconus or post-LASIK ectasia, contact Wang Vision 3D Cataract & LASIK Center, 1801 West End Ave, Ste 1150, Nashville, TN, 37203, 615-321-8881.