New Hope for Keratoconus Patients

Keratoconus is a progressive disease that affects the cornea of the eye. Keratoconus is a weakening of the corneal fibers of the eye that deteriorates over time. This causes the patient to lose their quality of vision gradually. This process causes the cornea to bulge and project images seeing into a distorted or double image.

It is important to diagnose keratoconus at an early stage so that the condition is monitored and any appropriate treatment is undertaken at the optimum time to preserve vision and the corneal tissue itself.

Symptoms that indicate that you may be suffering from Keratoconus are:

Patients may experience a blurring of vision with a greater sensitivity to light or glare in the early stages of keratoconus. Patients first experience short-sightedness in their early or late teens and again the progression can renew in the late 20's.

As the keratoconus condition progresses, it can take months or years to develop the typical bulge on the front of the eye. Others experience a rapid deterioration of vision within months where glasses and contacts have to be repeatedly changed to cope with the changing vision.

If the corneal change is dramatic, tiny cracks may begin to appear in the cornea due the pressure and strain of the changes on the tissue. This may well cause severe swelling and discomfort for a number of months and can lead to corneal scarring too.

Keratoconus treatments

INTACS Collagen Crosslinking are the two most effective Keratoconus treatments available to patients today. Without treatment, the vision in patients with Keratoconus will continue to decline and have a significant impact on their quality of life.

INTACS - INTACS are clear plastic inserts that are used to flatten the cornea. This treatment is beneficial for patients who are unable to tolerate contacts, those whose vision can no longer be corrected with any type of corrective lens, or those whose condition has advanced. A channel is created in the cornea before the inserts are placed inside.

Collagen Crosslinking (CXL) - collagen is responsible for providing structure to the cornea. When the thinning process takes place from Keratoconus, the cornea becomes weak and begins to bulge. Collagen crosslinking is the addition of collagen anchors to the cornea to prevent advanced bulging from occurring. Earlier methods of this procedure involved the removal of the epithelium, resulting in pain and other problems. Today, new techniques are available that allow the epithelium to be left intact. The end result has been a process that takes about thirty minutes to perform, is safer and less invasive, and produces longer-lasting results.

It is important to understand that the goal of using Keratoconus treatments is to prevent progression of the condition. There is no cure and no treatment or drug that will prevent it from occurring. The cause of the condition is unknown, although having a family member with the condition may increase your risk.

Keratoconus is also associated with frequent rubbing of the eyes, other eye conditions, hereditary factors, and with the long-term wearing of contact lenses. It usually occurs in both eyes and begins early in life in those aged ten to twenty-five years of age. The blurred or distorted vision that occurs during the early stages may change into worse vision problems, with the need to change eyeglass prescriptions occurring much more frequently.

Failure to get the needed treatment before the condition progresses to the point that the cornea becomes scarred could result in the need for corneal transplant surgery. The effects of Keratoconus can prevent the person from being able to accomplish normal daily activities and may lead to anxiety and/or depression. The simple, effective use of INTACS and collagen crosslinking can have a tremendous impact on the individual's eyesight and one's quality of life.