Keratoconus Treatments

Keratoconus is a non-inflammatory disorder that affects the anatomy and physiology of the cornea and can often be overlooked by health care providers . This condition causes the cornea to thin and steepen, resulting in distorted vision, light sensitivity, and decreased vision. Symptoms typically manifest during a person’s younger years, usually the late teens or 20’s and can begin to rapidly worsen. Custom individual keratoconus treatment plans may depend on a number of factors - call our Lake Worth eye doctors and optometrists who specialize in keratoconus if you have been diagnosed with or think you might have this condition.

Custom individual keratoconus treatment plans may depend on a number of factors, including:

• Your ages

• Severity of your keratoconus

• Whether your keratoconus is stable or progressives

• Thickness of your cornea and other corneal biometrics

Keratoconus Treatment Options

You may have already been told by your eye doctor that hard contact lenses, such as scleral lenses, surgery or procedures, such as corneal cross-linking (CXL) or corneal implants, is necessary. However, many keratoconus patients need a combination of treatments to experience the ultimate goal of fully restored vision.

• Corneal Cross-Linking

• Intacs (Corneal Implants)

• Scleral Lenses

• Hybrid Contact Lenses

• Custom Soft Contact Lenses

• Corneal Transplant

Corneal Cross-Linking

This procedure (sometimes referred to as corneal collagen cross-linking or CXL) performed by an eye doctor uses riboflavin drops combined with UVA light to strengthen the cornea. The procedure is designed to stop further progression of corneal ectasia (or thinning), which is typically seen in patients with keratoconus, pellucid marginal degeneration (PMD) and in patients who have had LASIK or RK eye surgery.

There are two forms of CXL that an eye doctor may choose from: epithelium-off (epi-off) and epithelium-on (epi-on). Epi-off CXL involves removing the corneal epithelium and dropping a formula of riboflavin solution on the cornea for a period of time followed by controlled UVA light exposure. The epi-on procedure uses a different concentration of riboflavin solutions and different exposure time with UVA, and does not involve the removal of the corneal epithelium.

Scleral Lenses

Scleral lenses are large sized hard lenses that rest on the white part of the eye called the sclera and completely vault over the cornea, where the distortions of keratoconus originate from. Scleral lenses are fit by expert eye doctors who are specially trained optometrists, highly skilled at creating a perfect fitting lens to correct vision in a comfortable way. Scleral lenses are typically made out of gas permeable materials so that enough oxygen gets to the cornea creating a healthy wearing environment. Scleral lenses are filled with a liquid called saline, preservative free is recommended. Our Lake Worth eye doctors have the latest technology to fit scleral lenses -this means that you can enjoy very crisp vision with an exceptionally comfortable experience with scleral lenses, which are typically the healthiest corrective options for patients suffering from keratoconus.

The Eaglet Eye Surface Profiler is a state-of-the-art diagnostic device used to analyze the shape and surface of the cornea, offering precise measurements that are essential for diagnosing and treating various eye conditions. It works by using advanced "dual-scheimpflug imaging," which captures high-resolution, 3D images of the cornea's curvature and topography. This allows eye care professionals to assess the cornea’s shape, thickness, and any irregularities with exceptional accuracy. Benefits of the Eaglet Eye Surface Profiler include: Accurate Corneal Mapping: Helps detect and monitor conditions like astigmatism, keratoconus, and irregular corneas. Improved Contact Lens Fitting: Provides detailed data for custom-fitting contact lenses, especially for RGP or scleral lenses, ensuring better comfort and vision. Early Detection: Identifies subtle changes in corneal health, enabling early intervention for better outcomes. Non-invasive and Quick: The process is fast, painless, and does not require direct contact with the eye. Overall, the Eaglet Eye Surface Profiler enhances the precision of eye care, leading to more effective treatments and better visual outcomes for patients

Intacs (Corneal Implants)

Intacs are prescription corneal implants that were previously used as a form of refractive surgery for treating low-level myopia and nearsightedness. Recently, this surgical option has been approved for use in treating keratoconus.

These surgically applied plastic implants are inserted just under the eye’s surface in the periphery of the cornea and help re-shape and reinforce the cornea, thereby eliminating some of the irregularities caused by keratoconus in order to provide improved vision. The procedure takes approximately 10 minutes to complete.

Schedule an appointment with our Lake Worth eye doctors and optometrists to find out which keratoconus options are right for you.