How is Photrexa given?

Photrexa is an eye drop given by a healthcare provider at their office to prepare your eye for treatment with the KXL System. First, your provider will apply some topical numbing medication to your eye and prep the area. The typical dose is 1 drop of Photrexa into the affected eye(s) every 2 minutes for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, your provider will check your eye(s) under a special lamp called a [slit lamp](https://www.aao.org/eye-health/treatments/what-is-slit-lamp#:~:text=A%20slit%20lamp%20is%20a,eyes%20and%20detecting%20eye%20disease.). Your provider might need to repeat giving you Photrexa drops in your eye(s) until they see a yellow flare under the lamp. Then, they'll use another lamp called the KXL System for 30 minutes while applying 1 drop onto the affected eye(s) every 2 minutes.

Photrexa

riboflavin 5'-phosphate

Used for Visual Distortion

Photrexa is an eye drop used with a special lamp called the KXL System to treat certain eye conditions that involve thinning of the cornea. It's applied to the eye by a trained healthcare provider at their office before and during treatment with the KXL System. Since this medication is brand only, it can be expensive.

Reviewed by:

Kristianne Hannemann, PharmD

Connie Zheng, PharmD

Last reviewed on May 8, 2022

What is Photrexa?

Drug facts

Common Brands	Photrexa
Drug Class	Ophthalmic agent
Controlled Substance Classification	Not a controlled medication
Generic Status	No lower-cost generic available
Availability	Prescription only

Common Brands

Photrexa

Drug Class

Ophthalmic agent

Controlled Substance Classification

Not a controlled medication

Generic Status

No lower-cost generic available

Availability

Prescription only

Common questions about Photrexa

Photrexa is an eye drop that's used with a machine called the KXL System to treat 2 eye conditions - progressive keratoconus and corneal ectasia as a result of surgery. These conditions can happen when a part of your eye called the cornea becomes too thin and can result in vision problems. Photrexa contains riboflavin, also known as vitamin B2, and is a photosensitizer. This means that it absorbs ultraviolet (UV) light from the KXL System and produces a chemical change in the eye that helps cross-link collagen (a protein that makes the cornea more stiff) in the eye to strengthen the cornea again and prevent your vision from getting worse.

Photrexa is an eye drop given by a healthcare provider at their office to prepare your eye for treatment with the KXL System. First, your provider will apply some topical numbing medication to your eye and prep the area. The typical dose is 1 drop of Photrexa into the affected eye(s) every 2 minutes for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, your provider will check your eye(s) under a special lamp called a slit lamp. Your provider might need to repeat giving you Photrexa drops in your eye(s) until they see a yellow flare under the lamp. Then, they'll use another lamp called the KXL System for 30 minutes while applying 1 drop onto the affected eye(s) every 2 minutes.

Before your procedure, your provider will give you instructions about what to do when you're ready to go home after your Photrexa treatment. Don't rub your eye(s) for the first 5 days after treatment, since your eye(s) will need some time to heal properly. It's normal for your eye(s) to be sensitive to light or feel like there is something inside, which might be uncomfortable. You can wear sunglasses to help with the light sensitivity. Contact your provider if you experience severe pain in your eye(s), any vision changes, or if the bandage contact lens that was placed on your eye(s) falls out. Don't try to put the bandage contact lens back in yourself.

Some common side effects of Photrexa are hazy vision, eye pain, blurry vision, and sensitivity to light. While some discomfort after your procedure is normal, contact your provider if you experience severe pain or vision changes.

There haven't been enough studies to know if Photrexa is safe or works in children under 14 years old. Discuss alternative treatment options with your child's provider.

Photrexa

What is Photrexa?

Drug facts

Common questions about Photrexa

Photrexa dosage

Typical dosage for Photrexa

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Common questions about Photrexa

What is Photrexa?

Drug facts

Common questions about Photrexa

What is Photrexa?

How is Photrexa given?

What should I know after I get treatment with Photrexa?

What are the side effects of Photrexa?

Can Photrexa be used in children?

Photrexa dosage

Typical dosage for Photrexa

Common questions about Photrexa

What is Photrexa?

How is Photrexa given?

What should I know after I get treatment with Photrexa?

What are the side effects of Photrexa?

Can Photrexa be used in children?