Keratoconus

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What is keratoconus?

Keratoconus is a degenerative disorder of the eye in which structural changes within the cornea cause it to thin and change to a more conical shape than its normal gradual curve. A cone-shaped cornea results in blurred vision and may cause light and glare sensitivity. Keratoconus normally affects both eyes and is a disorder which progresses slowly.

Keratoconus can cause substantial distortion of vision, with multiple images, streaking and sensitivity to light all often reported by the patient. It is typically diagnosed in the patient's adolescent years and attains its most severe state in the twenties and thirties. If afflicting both eyes, the deterioration in vision can affect the patient's ability to drive a car or read normal print. In most cases, corrective lenses are effective enough to allow the patient to continue to drive legally and likewise function normally. Further progression of the disease may require surgery, including intrastromal corneal ring segments, corneal collagen crosslinking, or corneal transplantation. However, despite the disease's unpredictable course, keratoconus can often be successfully managed with little or no impairment to the patient's quality of life.

What are the symptoms related to keratoconus?

The ophthalmologist may ask about keratoconus symptoms during an eye exam. These symptoms may include:

• Sudden change in your vision
• Double vision
• Distorted vision
• Streaking lights
• Double or triple ghost images
• Blurry vision, especially when driving at night

Dr Beatty will measure the shape of your cornea to properly diagnose whether you have keratoconus. This is usually done by corneal topography.

How is keratoconus treated?

There are different kinds of keratoconus treatment, which depends on how severe your condition is. In the early stages, keratoconus is corrected with the use of normal eyeglasses or soft contact lenses. As the disorder progresses, it may be corrected with the use of hard contact lenses or corneal crosslinking.

In some cases, if keratoconus becomes advanced, Dr Beatty may recommend that you get a cornea transplant.

Corneal Crosslinking

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Corneal Crosslinking with Riboflavin for Keratoconus

What is corneal crosslinking?

Corneal crosslinking is a treatment advised for those with keratoconus a degenerative disorder of the eye in which the cornea begins to thin and change to a more conical shape resulting in poor vision. A new technique for the treatment of keratoconus is that of corneal collagen crosslinking with riboflavin (vitaminB2).

The main goal for corneal crosslinking is to prevent the cornea from bulging more. Corneal crosslinking add bonds between the collagen fibres in your eyes, which will then work like support beams to aid the cornea to stay stable. This procedure helps stop progressive keratoconus and avoid a corneal transplant.

How is corneal crosslinking done?

Prior to surgery, you will be advised to remove rigid contact lenses. This is an office procedure during which the ophthalmologist will then put the riboflavin eye drops which will be absorbed by the cornea. It takes approximately 30 minutes for the eye drops to be soaked into the cornea. He will then activate the ultraviolet light so that it will "crosslink" or strengthen the structural corneal collagen proteins which are weakened due to keratoconus.

What to expect after corneal crosslinking?

You will visit the ophthalmologist in the following days after the riboflavin crosslinking procedure for review, and the temporary contact lens will be removed. Only after four weeks can the patient go back to wearing old contacts and the new contacts will only be fitted after 4 to 6 months. There may be no improvement in vision, but the progression of the keratoconus will be significantly reduced, and the possibility of further sight loss or corneal graft minimized.

If you are researching Keratoconus, Corneal Crosslinking with Riboflavin or searching for an Ophthalmologist in Cape Town, please contact my practice where our qualified assistants are able to provide professional and friendly guidance.

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