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Evergreen Eye Center — Corneal Crosslinking

Corneal Crosslinking

For corneal conditions, trust experienced patient-centered eye care. Protect your cornea from injury.

  • FDA-approved to treat mild to moderate keratoconus
  • A 90-minute outpatient procedure
  • Can increase corneal strength and rigidity by 3X or more
Is This Right for You?

Am I a Candidate for Corneal Crosslinking?

If any of the following sound familiar, it may be time for an evaluation.
Blurring or Distorted Vision
Substantial eyesight distortion, including blurring and multiple images
Streaking & Light Sensitivity
Streaking and increased sensitivity to light
A Progressively Thinning Cornea
Structural changes that cause the cornea to thin and become more conical
Caught in the Early Stages
CXL is most effective when mild to moderate keratoconus is caught early, before significant vision loss has occurred

CXL is newly FDA-approved in the US to treat individuals with mild to moderate keratoconus who meet other eligibility requirements, confirmed through a corneal evaluation.

The Procedure

What Is Corneal Crosslinking?

The cornea is the outermost layer of the eye, the clear dome that covers the front of the eye, responsible for as much as 75% of the eye’s focusing power, and made up of five separate layers each with an important function. With corneal crosslinking (CXL), our ophthalmologists apply specialized drops to the cornea, then shine ultraviolet light onto the cornea. This creates a chemical reaction that increases the number of links between fibers of corneal tissue, effectively slowing or stopping the progression of tissue degeneration. It’s a 90-minute outpatient procedure. While CXL doesn’t reverse damage that has already occurred, it allows intervention in disease progression early and can reduce or eliminate the need for corneal transplants in the future.

Patient Reviews

Monika F.

So far everything has been very positive and friendly, both staff and doctors.

Catalina R.

All the staff were friendly. Dr. Tester was saying each step out loud during the surgery and that calmed me down a lot.

William L.

Been with Evergreen for a number of years and have always been very happy with their services.

Rene S.

Evergreen Eye Care in Auburn, WA is awesome. I see Dr. Freckles and he is great. Very professional, caring and compassionate. He answers all me questions in a way that is very understandable. The staff is also very nice and friendly.
I highly recommend Evergreen Eye Care, especially the Auburn office.

Denise K.

Love Evergreen Eye Center! Dr Frankel is so warm and friendly! I receive excellent care and that is so important to me. I would not go anywhere else for my eye health. Everyone excels in their particular job before you see the doc.

Read more patient reviews
Your Options

Corneal Crosslinking vs. Corneal Transplant

Catching keratoconus early gives your cornea more options. Here's how CXL compares to a corneal transplant.

Corneal Crosslinking (CXL)

Strengthens your own cornea

  • A 90-minute outpatient procedure using UV light and specialized drops
  • Can increase corneal strength and rigidity by 3X or more
  • Slows or stops the progression of keratoconus
  • Does not reverse damage that has already occurred
Early Intervention

Corneal Transplant

Replaces damaged corneal tissue

  • A damaged or diseased cornea is replaced with a healthy donor cornea
  • May be needed if keratoconus progresses beyond what CXL can address
  • A more involved surgical procedure than CXL
For Advanced Disease

Your ophthalmologist will determine whether CXL, a transplant, or another approach fits your stage of keratoconus.

Step by Step

Your Corneal Crosslinking Journey

From evaluation to a stronger cornea, here's what to expect.
1
Corneal Evaluation
  • Corneal shape and thickness measured
  • Keratoconus severity assessed
  • Candidacy for CXL confirmed
2
Procedure Preparation
    • Specialized drops applied to the cornea
    • Ultraviolet light equipment prepared
    • Questions about the 90-minute procedure answered
3
Crosslinking Procedure
    • Ultraviolet light shone onto the cornea
    • Chemical reaction increases fiber links in corneal tissue
    • Outpatient procedure completed same day
4
Recovery & Monitoring
    • Healing monitored at follow-up visits
    • Corneal strength and shape tracked over time
    • Disease progression slowed or stopped
What to Expect

Expected Corneal Crosslinking Outcomes & Recovery

CXL can increase the cornea's strength and rigidity by 3X or more, and can also reduce nearsightedness and astigmatism while improving comfort while wearing contact lenses.
A Stronger Cornea
CXL can increase the cornea's strength and rigidity by 3X or more.
Slowed Disease Progression
Corneal tissue strength increases successfully in 90% of cases, slowing or stopping keratoconus progression.
Fewer Future Transplants
Early intervention with CXL can reduce or eliminate the need for corneal transplants down the road.
A 90-Minute Outpatient Visit
CXL is completed in about 90 minutes on an outpatient basis, with no overnight stay required.

What Patients Can Expect in the First 30 Days

  • Specialized drops and ultraviolet light are used during the 90-minute procedure
  • Healing and corneal strength are monitored at follow-up visits
  • CXL does not reverse existing damage but can slow or stop further progression
  • Corneal shape and thickness are tracked over time
Informed Care

Safety & Risk Considerations

CXL doesn't reverse damage that has already occurred to the cornea, but intervening early can slow or stop further progression. Your doctor will discuss what to expect based on the severity of your keratoconus.

Safety Profile

  • CXL can increase the cornea's strength and rigidity by 3X or more
  • Evergreen Eye Center has increased corneal tissue strength successfully in 90% of cases
  • CXL is a 90-minute outpatient procedure

Possible Side Effects

  • CXL does not reverse damage that has already occurred to the cornea, it is intended to slow or stop further progression
  • The 90-minute procedure involves specialized drops and ultraviolet light exposure to the cornea
  • Your doctor will review what to expect during healing and monitor your cornea's strength and shape at follow-up visits

How We Minimize Risk

FDA-Approved Protocol

CXL is FDA-approved to treat individuals with mild to moderate keratoconus who meet eligibility requirements.

Early Intervention

While CXL doesn't reverse existing damage, treating early can reduce or eliminate the need for a future corneal transplant.

Experienced, Dedicated Ophthalmologists

Evergreen Eye Center became the only crosslinking FDA clinical trials center in Washington in 2014.

Why Evergreen Eye Center

Corneal Crosslinking: Why Choose Evergreen Eye Center

Here's what sets corneal crosslinking care at Evergreen Eye Center apart.
An FDA Clinical Trials Site
In 2014, Evergreen Eye Center became the only crosslinking FDA clinical trials center in the state of Washington.
Among the First in the Puget Sound
We were among the first providers in the Puget Sound to offer this outpatient, 90-minute procedure.
A Strong Track Record
CXL has been used successfully in Europe for more than a decade, with a 90% success rate increasing corneal tissue strength.
Our Team

Our Corneal Crosslinking Specialist

Gary W. Chung, MD, leads corneal crosslinking care, drawing on Evergreen Eye Center's history as a Washington State FDA clinical trials site.
Find Us

Corneal Crosslinking in Seattle

Corneal evaluations are available across our Federal Way, Federal Way – Maplewood, Auburn, Seattle, Burien, and Tacoma locations.
Coverage & Financing

Cost & Insurance

Corneal crosslinking is typically billed to medical insurance. Evergreen Eye Center also offers flexible payment options for any out-of-pocket costs.

Insurance We Accept

28+ plans accepted

    • Accepted plans include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, Medicare, Premera Blue Cross, Regence, TriWest/Tricare, and United Healthcare, among 28+ carriers
    • Different carriers and plans have different requirements, so coverage can vary
    • Contact your insurance provider directly to confirm your specific benefits

Coverage requirements vary by carrier and plan, contact your insurer to confirm your specific benefits.

Payment & Financing Options

Ways to pay for your care

    • Cash, check, and major credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover) are accepted
    • Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) and Health Savings Accounts (HSA) can be used
    • Limited CareCredit financing is available for qualifying procedures of $200 or more, subject to credit approval

    Our billing team can answer payment questions at 800-340-3595.

Flexible financing available. We work with CareCredit to offer low- and no-interest payment plans for premium lens upgrades and elective procedures. Ask about your options at your consultation.

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Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to common questions about corneal crosslinking.
Ready When You Are

Schedule Your Free Consultation

Most patients see results within 24 hours. Consultations are available at all four locations, online scheduling takes less than two minutes.