About

Founded in 2009 by Roy Rubinfeld, MD, MA to serve as a resource for patients, their families, doctors, and researchers, CXLUSA, LLC grew to become the world’s largest crosslinking (CXL) research study group with 36 investigators across the United States. Working with top international scientific experts, this group has been instrumental in advancing less invasive treatments for those with keratoconus and other ectasias, eventually developing the treatment known as EpiSmart® to avoid the long recovery, pain, and risks of the older, more invasive form of crosslinking invented in 1998, which requires surgical removal of the front layer (epithelium) of the cornea to get the vitamin into the cornea.

World’s Largest CXL Research Study Group

The CXLUSA research study group joined together 36 internationally-recognized ophthalmologists across the United States. When CXLUSA was founded, the mission of this group of experts was to advocate for keratoconus patients, inform doctors, and improve treatments. Since then, their groundbreaking research has developed a less invasive, rapid recovery epithelium-on corneal crosslinking treatment.

CXLUSA is the world’s largest research study group that has researched and developed minimally-invasive treatment of keratoconus and post-LASIK ectasia using epithelium-on corneal crosslinking. CXLUSA has developed and shared the latest research from keratoconus clinical trials and epithelium-on CXL since 2009.

History of Epithelium-on CXL

CXL in its original form has existed since 1998 as a technique to treat keratoconus and post-LASIK ectasia. These conditions are caused by a weakened, thinning cornea that becomes cone-shaped and distorts vision. CXL strengthens the cornea with vitamin B (riboflavin) and UV light. However, for the vitamin to be absorbed, the protective layer of the cornea, or the epithelium, needed to be removed. This original technique meant a long, painful recovery and risks of infection, scarring and other complications. The images below show the corneal scraping that occurred with the older “epi-off” procedure.

CXLUSA developed a novel vitamin formulation which has been shown in published studies to be the only system that can get the vitamin into the cornea while leaving the protective epithelium intact. This innovative, unique treatment is the only epithelium-on crosslinking shown in large published research studies to stop vision loss with a recovery period of only 1-2 days.

Timeline of CXL Innovation

1998

Epithelium-on CXL is invented in Dresden, Germany.

2009

Dr. Rubinfeld founds CXLUSA, which grew to become the world’s largest CXL research study group with 36 investigators in the U.S.

2011

The first effective epithelium-on corneal riboflavin loading is achieved by CXLUSA.

2015

CXLUSA researchers show reshaping the cornea using conductive keratoplasty (CK) in combination with epithelium-on CXL helps restore patients’ vision.

2016

The FDA Phase 2 study of epithelium-on CXL enrolls first of 2,228 patients, and FDA permits treatment at the first sign of keratoconus and on both eyes on the same day.

2018

The first of over a dozen key scientific publications describes the unique epithelium-on innovations, quick recovery time, and reduced risks compared with epithelium-off CXL.

2019

The FDA Phase 2 study on epithelium-on CXL is completed and, based on safety and effectiveness data, is approved for Phase 3 trials.

2023

The FDA Phase 2 trial of epithelium-on CXL is published in Cornea, concluding that the majority of patients chose to have both eyes treated on the same day, had no serious adverse effects, and returned to work, school, and normal activities the next day.

Contact Us

If you have questions about epithelium-on CXL or keratoconus and other corneal ectasias, please reach out to our team. Our goal is to be a resource and make this groundbreaking research accessible.