Keratoconus is a degenerative non-inflammatory eye disease, when the cornea becomes thin and conical due to structural changes, in contrast to the normal, spherical shape. Keratoconus treatment is performed at Eximer Ophthalmology Clinic.
Risks of keratoconus
Owing to the cone shape of the cornea in keratoconus, the light beams are refracted unevenly in its various points, so the visual acuity decreases (just like in myopia), and the person sees objects distorted and lines crooked (just like in astigmatism). With progressive keratoconus, one may face problems when choosing optic corrections. Correction with soft or hard contact lenses may be problematic due to lens intolerance. In advanced stages of keratoconus, corneal thinning (up to tearing) occurs, accompanied by a pronounced pain syndrome. If left untreated, keratoconus can lead to loss of vision.
Keratoconus, especially in its early stages, is often mixed up with myopia or astigmatism due to similar visual sensations. The exact cause of lost vision can only be identified with a thorough eye exam using state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment available at Eximer Ophthalmology Clinic. The modern computerized diagnostic equipment at Eximer Ophthalmology Clinic allows detecting the disease at its earliest stages and ensuring the accuracy of diagnosis. If keratoconus is detected, the doctor may select a treatment program corresponding to the disease stage based on the diagnostic data.
Ophthalmologists report an increase in keratoconus cases in the last decade, which, on the one hand, can be explained by better diagnostic capabilities, but on the other hand, by the deterioration of the environmental situation.
Keratoconus treatment at Eximer Ophthalmology Clinic
Keratoconus treatment is aimed at controlling the pathological process and stabilizing the state of the cornea. Eximer Ophthalmology Clinic employs modern and effective methods to treat keratoconus in the initial and advanced stages.
Cross-linking is one of the ways to treat keratoconus in its early stages. Corneal reinforcement and keratoconus stabilization are achieved through the simultaneous injection of riboflavin and exposure to a special device, the so-called Seiler lamp. During the cross-linking procedure, additional chemical bonds are created between the collagen fibers that form the structural framework of the cornea, increasing the mechanical density of the entire cornea. The cornea becomes denser and is able to hold its shape, preventing further progression of keratoconus.
NormalEyes scleral lenses
Hard scleral lenses NormalEyes (from Paragon) are specially designed for correcting eyesight in case of complicated corneal deformities, including keratoconus. This pathology cannot be corrected with other methods (glasses, soft contact lenses). Scleral lenses never traumatize the cornea surface which is especially important for keratoconus. Furthermore, they have high oxygen permeability.
Eximer Ophthalmology Clinic offers an individual choice of scleral lenses based on the diagnostic data of the visual system.