A Chat with Bernie Iliakis of CorneaGen

Bernie Iliakis, president and CEO of CorneaGen, discusses the growing momentum of CTAK to treat keratoconus, how the company is meeting the growing demand for DMEK and DSAEK tissue processing, and more.

November 1, 2025
4 min

Ophthalmology Management

Overview

CorneaGen's Corneal Tissue Addition for Keratoplasty (CTAK) has been commercially launched, offering a significant advancement in treating keratoconus. The procedure has demonstrated substantial improvements in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), with clinical trials showing an average improvement of 3 lines in BCVA and up to 6 lines of improvement in functional vision without correction.

Background

Keratoconus is a progressive eye disease that leads to thinning and bulging of the cornea, often resulting in significant visual impairment. Traditional treatment options have included corneal transplants, but innovations like CTAK represent a shift towards more customized and effective solutions. The adoption of such technologies is crucial for improving patient outcomes in corneal surgery.

Data Highlights

CTAK has shown clinical trial results indicating an improvement of 3 lines in BCVA and up to 6 lines of improvement without correction.

Key Findings

CTAK utilizes custom, gamma-irradiated, non-immunogenic corneal tissue inlays tailored to individual patient needs.
As of September 2025, CorneaGen celebrated its 1,000th CTAK procedure in the U.S.
CTAK has been recognized as one of the most exciting advancements in corneal surgery by numerous surgeons, including [insert specific surgeon names or studies].
CorneaGen's innovations include the use of femtosecond lasers for custom-shaped grafts and the introduction of antifungal agents in storage media.
The evolution of corneal transplantation techniques has improved tissue quality and consistency, enhancing surgical outcomes.

Clinical Implications

The introduction of CTAK provides surgeons with a novel option for treating keratoconus, potentially leading to better visual outcomes for patients. Clinicians should consider incorporating this technology into their practice, especially for patients with moderate to severe keratoconus, to enhance patient care and surgical efficiency.

Conclusion

CTAK represents a significant advancement in the management of keratoconus, with promising clinical outcomes that could reshape treatment paradigms. Continued adoption and research into such innovations are essential for improving patient care in corneal surgery, with future studies needed to explore long-term outcomes.