Keratoconus is a non inflammatory, degenerative disease of the cornea(the outer layer of the eye). The Hallmark characteristic is the development of a localized, cone shaped ectasia (bulge); that is accompanied by thinning of the cornea in the area of the coneThis leads to irregular corneal surface, irregular cylindrical power and poor quality of visionIt is a progressive condition of the cornea especially in the younger age.
Yes, Arresting the progression of Keratconus is of paramount importance as it can lead to a progressive decline in vision. Keratconus can be arrested by a treatment called “CROSS LINKING”.
Cross linking is a method for increasing the rigidity of the cornea by a combination of a Riboflavin drops and a specified ultraviolet light. This increase the cross links in the cornea therby increasing rigidity of the cornea and arresting the progression of keratoconus. To read more on cross linking click here At R & R Eye Care, we use an advanced “AVEDRO ACCELERATED CROSS LINKING” which is the latest development in cross linking and provides a rapid, efficient and pain free treatment to arrest keratconus.
In the early stages of Keratoconus vision can be improved using spectacles or contact lenses. But in the more advanced cases we have to resort to using Intra Corneal Ring Segments or Corneal Transplantaion.
Intra Corneal Ring Segments (ICRS) are specialized and customized arc like segments which are inserted into the cornea using a sophisticated femtosecond laser. These segments improve vision by converting a conical cornea into a more natural spherical shape. It is a simple day care procedure that provides immediate and gratifying results.
Though traditional LASIK is not possible in patients with Keratoconus, a new technology that has recently become available is “TOPOGRAPHY GUIDED TREATMENT” which is a specialized laser based treatment which greatly enhances vision in patients with moderate Keratoconus by smoothening the weakened protruding conical part of the cornea. This topography guided treatment in combination with cross linking has become the procedure of choice for improving vision when Keratoconus is diagnosed early.
Toric Implantable Contact Lens(TICL) is capable of providing good correction in cases of stable Keratoconus or after stabilization of the cornea by collagen cross linkage(C3R). TICL works similarly to a contact lens. The difference is that the lens is placed inside your eye, rather than on the surface. You can neither see nor feel the lens once it is inside your eye. The lens is meant to remain permanently in the eye. Because TICL is tiny and soft, it can be folded so small that it can be injected painlessly into your eye in seconds through a tiny opening in your cornea. Once injected, TICL unfolds into position in the liquid between your iris and your natural lens. The lens is easily accepted by our body. Implanting TICL is considered an outpatient procedure and takes about 15 minutes. A few hours after the treatment you will be able to leave the clinic and resume most of your activities. TICL provides high quality of vision, is a highly precise and predictable treatment and provides exceptional satisfaction.
When Keratconus has advanced to a certain degree where it can be corrected by the aforementioned refractive modalities, we will have to resort to corneal transplantation. At R & R Eye Care, we perform transplantation for Keratoconic patients using a specialized and technically demanding surgery called Deep Anterior Lamellar Keratoplasty or (DALK)wherein only the diseased layers of the cornea are selectively removed leaving behind the remaining health layers of the patient. This greatly enhances the success rate of transplantation by markedly reducing rejection. Read more on Corneal Transplantation.
