Epioxa® for Keratoconus: Honolulu Eye Doctors at Aloha Laser Vision Are First in Hawaii to Offer New Treatment

Ophthalmologist Alan Faulkner, MD discusses the FDA-approved epi-on corneal cross-linking option that treats the cornea without removing its outer layer.

HONOLULU, HI, UNITED STATES, November 4, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — Alan Faulkner, MD, a board-certified ophthalmologist in Honolulu and the director of Aloha Laser Vision, is announcing the arrival of an FDA-approved epithelium-on (“epi-on”) treatment for progressive keratoconus. The practice has been providing corneal cross-linking therapy for keratoconus conditions for more than 15 years, and Dr. Faulkner says it is the first to provide Epioxa in Hawaii, which is a brand-new, less invasive treatment currently available at a limited number of eye care centers across the United States.

Keratoconus is a condition in which the cornea, the clear front surface of the eye, gradually thins and bulges into a cone-like shape. The change can cause blurred and distorted vision and often begins in the teenage years or early adulthood. Corneal cross-linking, which pairs specialized eye drops with ultraviolet light to reinforce the collagen structure of the cornea, is widely used to slow or stop the disease from advancing.

Aloha Laser Vision began performing cross-linking shortly after the technology became available in Hawaii, using the traditional epithelium-off (“epi-off”) method. That approach requires the surgeon to remove the epithelium, the thin protective layer covering the cornea, so the drops can penetrate. Dr. Faulkner says, while the treatment has a long track record, it typically takes about an hour and involves a healing period that may require prescription-strength pain relief while the surface tissue regrows. Epioxa is designed to work with the epithelium left in place. “We’ve treated keratoconus patients with epi-off cross-linking for many years, and that experience shaped how we evaluated this new option. Moving to epi-on is a natural next step for our program. It gives us another way to address progression while keeping the corneal surface intact, which matters a great deal to patients worried about recovery.”

The in-office procedure takes roughly 20 to 25 minutes per eye and is performed in three stages: the treatment drops are applied, oxygen-enriched goggles are fitted, and a controlled dose of ultraviolet light is delivered. Patients commonly compare the after-effects to a mild sunburn on the eye, and temporary light sensitivity, redness, or blurred vision may occur. Some patients can have the second eye treated about a week after the first.

Epioxa is approved for patients age 13 and older with progressive keratoconus. It may not be recommended for individuals who are pregnant, have a history of herpetic keratitis, have a known sensitivity to the drops, or have had cataract surgery without a UV-blocking lens implant. Candidacy is determined through corneal mapping, thickness measurements, and a review of medical history.

Aloha Laser Vision also reports that they worked with Hawaii insurance carriers to establish reimbursement pathways for Epioxa, including buy-and-bill arrangements and specialty pharmacy coordination. Although individual benefits vary by plan, the practice explains that many patients have found the treatment to be financially accessible and any copayments are being covered by Glaukos’s CareConnect program.

“Our goal has always been to make sure patients in Hawaii have access to current keratoconus care without traveling to the mainland,” says Dr. Faulkner. “Early evaluation remains important, because cross-linking works best before the cornea has changed significantly.”

About Dr. Faulkner and Aloha Laser Vision
Alan Faulkner, MD, is a board-certified ophthalmologist and Fellow of the American Academy of Ophthalmology who has practiced in Hawaii for more than 20 years. Through Aloha Laser Vision in Honolulu, he has introduced several refractive and cataract surgery techniques to the state. He also serves as Managing Partner of The Surgical Suites. Dr. Faulkner routinely presents at national and international ophthalmology conferences and sits on industry advisory boards focused on emerging eye care technologies.

Dr. Faulkner also leads continuing education sessions for Hawaii optometrists and serves on the board of Project Vision Hawaii, a nonprofit that works to expand access to vision and health services across the islands. In addition to keratoconus treatment, Aloha Laser Vision offers cataract surgery, LASIK and other vision correction procedures, and comprehensive eye care.

For more information about Aloha Laser Vision and Aloha Laser Aesthetics, please visit alohalaservision.com or facebook.com/alohalaservision, alohalaseraesthetics.com or facebook.com/alohalaseraesthetics, or find the practice on Instagram @alohalaservision or @alohalaseraesthetics.

To view the original source of this release, click here: https://www.alohalaservision.com/news-room/epioxa-for-keratoconus-honolulu-eye-doctors-at-aloha-laser-vision-are-first-in-hawaii-to-offer-new-treatment/

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Aloha Laser Vision
1100 Ward Ave., Ste. 1000
Honolulu, Hawaii 96814
(808) 792-3937

Rosemont Media
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Katie Nagel
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