Keratoconus is a corneal disease in which the regular shape of the cornea becomes more conical and it becomes thinner as well. This condition can be managed better if detected earlier by corneal topography / tomography. It usually affects both eyes, although one eye is usually affected more than the other. If there is delay in detection or treatment of keratoconus, it can result in significant deterioration of vision.
There are a number of treatment modalities available, but will decide the best one for you after evaluating your condition.
Spectacle correction and contact lenses are the initial measures of early Keratoconus treatment. Soft toric contact lenses do not work well in high steep corneas because of irregular fitting.
Very good option, more after cross linking procedure, or for patients who don’t want to go for surgical option, hard contact lenses can cause immense improvement in vision due to their improved fitting.
Corneal cross-linking involves an application of riboflavin solution and UV radiation. The purpose of this treatment is to improve the bonds between the collagen fibrils of the cornea. This, in turn, results in an increased corneal strength and holt the keratoconus progression. Keratoconus cross-linking can be done on its own or in combination with other refractive procedures like laser ablation - TCAT or lens-based surgeries – ICL.
Keratoconus corneal transplantation is advised when the cornea becomes dangerously thin or when the corneal scarring is too prominent for enabling any vision. It involves replacing the thin conical cornea surgically with a normal donor cornea for improving the previously impaired vision. People with advanced Keratoconus damage or with severely impaired vision following complications after a Keratoconus progression are ideal candidates for Keratoconus corneal transplantation.
