Aloha Laser Vision is proud to be the first practice in Hawaii, and among the first in the nation, to offer Epioxa, the newest FDA-approved epithelium-on (“epi-on”) corneal cross-linking treatment for keratoconus. If you’ve been wondering where to get epi-on treatment in Hawaii, our Honolulu office is currently the only place in the islands offering this next-generation option, backed by 15 years of experience treating keratoconus with corneal cross-linking technology.
Epioxa At a Glance
Potential Benefits: Epioxa offers a non-invasive, epi-on approach designed to halt keratoconus progression without removing the corneal surface. This treatment can also provide many patients with a notably shorter and more comfortable path to a stronger cornea.
Candidates: FDA-approved for patients ages 13 and up with early-to-moderate, progressive keratoconus, with final eligibility confirmed through corneal mapping and a review of overall eye health.
Procedure: A three-part, in-office treatment, Epioxa can be completed in about 20 to 25 minutes per eye.
Recovery: Most patients describe the healing period as feeling similar to a mild sunburn on the eye, without the need for extended downtime or prescription pain medication often associated with older cross-linking methods.
Surgeons’ Experience: Performed by the same team that has led corneal cross-linking in Hawaii for 15 years, now bringing that expertise to the islands’ first Epioxa program.
Where Can I Get Epioxa in Hawaii?
Aloha Laser Vision has built its reputation as a long-standing leader in corneal cross-linking procedures in Hawaii, and that leadership continues with the introduction of Epioxa. Our eye doctors in Honolulu were the first in the state to bring this treatment to local patients, giving Hawaii residents access to the same cutting-edge technology available at only a handful of leading practices across the country. Rather than traveling to the mainland for advanced keratoconus care, patients on Oahu and the neighbor islands can now receive this treatment close to home.
Just as important as being first to offer the treatment, Aloha Laser Vision played a direct role in establishing insurance reimbursement for Epioxa here in Hawaii.
How Is Epioxa Different from Traditional (Epi-Off) Cross-Linking?
Corneal cross-linking has long been the gold-standard treatment for stopping keratoconus progression, and Aloha Laser Vision has offered it for a decade and a half using the traditional epithelium-off (“epi-off”) approach. Epi-off cross-linking can be very effective, but it comes with real trade-offs: the procedure typically takes about an hour, requires the surgeon to gently remove the outer layer of the cornea (the epithelium) to allow the treatment drops to absorb, and many patients needed prescription-strength pain medication during the first few days of healing while the epithelium regrows.
Epioxa changes that experience. Because it’s designed to work without removing the epithelium, the procedure is less invasive from start to finish. Patients typically describe the after-effects as feeling similar to a mild sunburn on the eye — noticeable, but far more manageable than what epi-off patients have experienced historically. As with any corneal procedure, some temporary light sensitivity, redness, or blurry vision can occur while the eye settles, and our doctor will walk you through what to expect for your specific case.
For patients who have been putting off cross-linking because of the recovery associated with the traditional procedure, Epioxa may make treatment far more approachable, without asking them to compromise on the goal of halting keratoconus progression.
Am I a Candidate for Epioxa?
Epioxa is FDA-approved for individuals 13 years of age and older who have been diagnosed with keratoconus that shows signs of progression. As with any cross-linking treatment, patients in the early-to-moderate stages of keratoconus — before the cornea has significantly changed shape — tend to see the best outcomes. Epioxa may not be appropriate for patients who have a known sensitivity to the treatment’s ingredients, have had prior cataract surgery without an artificial lens (or with a non-UV-blocking lens), have a history of herpetic keratitis, or are pregnant. During your consultation, your Aloha Laser Vision eye doctor will map your cornea, measure its thickness, and review your health history to determine whether Epioxa’s epi-on approach or traditional epi-off cross-linking is the better fit for your individual case.
Does Insurance Cover Epioxa Treatment in Hawaii?
For many individuals, one of the biggest hurdles to accessing advanced keratoconus treatment has always been cost and insurance coverage. Aloha Laser Vision worked directly with insurers to help establish a reimbursement pathway for Epioxa in Hawaii, allowing the treatment to be billed directly through a buy-and-bill model as well as working with specialty pharmacies,
depending on the carrier. Our Hawaii patients have been, in many respects, ahead of the curve when it comes to getting this treatment covered.
The result for patients: many individuals treated at Aloha Laser Vision are paying little to nothing out of pocket for their Epioxa treatment, regardless of their specific insurance plan. Coverage details can vary by individual policy, so our team will always verify your specific benefits before your visit, but the pathway we’ve helped establish here in Hawaii is designed to make this treatment far more financially accessible than it has historically been elsewhere in the country.
Why Trust Aloha Laser Vision for Epioxa Epi-On Treatment in Hawaii?
Aloha Laser Vision has been at the forefront of corneal cross-linking in Hawaii since the technology first became available here, treating keratoconus patients with epi-off cross-linking for 15 years and counting. That legacy of experience is exactly why our practice was positioned to be first to bring Epioxa to the islands. Our surgeons understand keratoconus management inside and out, from the earliest, mildest presentations to more advanced cases that require a combination of therapies — and now, that expertise extends to the newest epi-on option on the market.
Ready to learn more about Epioxa in Hawaii? Contact Aloha Laser Vision today to schedule a keratoconus consultation and find out if you’re a candidate for this advanced, non-invasive cross-linking treatment.
