Keratoconus is a condition that affects approximately 1 in 2000 people. This makes it a not exactly common, but also not exactly a rare ailment. Keratoconus is an eye disease which affects the cornea. Your cornea is what works to focus your vision and in healthy adults is spherically-shaped. Keratoconus causes the cornea to become thin and gradually shaped into a cone shape which distorts your vision. The good news is the condition is manageable as long as you follow these key Keratoconus treatment steps.
What Does a Keratoconus Diagnosis Mean?
Keratoconus is a progressive eye disease. Depending on how advanced the disease is will determine the best course of treatment. Regardless of what stage of Keratoconus you may be suffering from, it’s important to act quickly. The sooner you address the problem the more you manage it and also treat the numerous symptoms of Keratoconus including blurry, distorted vision and other problems. Some of the Keratoconus treatment options include:
1) Custom Corrective Lenses
One of the latest breakthroughs in treatment option has been the introduction of custom soft contacts designed specifically to correct early to moderate Keratoconus. Your doctor will take detailed measurements of your eyes as well as an analysis of the progression of Keratoconus.
From here, you can get custom contacts that work to reshape the cornea back to a sphere. They’ve also been proven to increase visual acuity. Do note that this treatment can get expensive, but vision insurance may cover some of these costs.
2) Gas Permeable Contact Lenses
Gas permeable (GP) contact lenses are often a chosen treatment method if eyeglasses or contacts are not effective. These lenses form a vault over your cornea creating a uniform surface and improving vision. The downside to GP, however, is that fitting them is quite challenging and often required frequent trips to your eye doctor to get the prescription just right.
3) Corneal Transplant
In the most severe and advanced cases of Keratoconus, a corneal transplant may be the only option. Doctors typically only recommend this surgery if other treatment methods have been proven ineffective or if a person cannot be fit for lenses.
Corneal tissue from donors is grafted onto your cornea and used to reshape back it to normal. Do note, however, that corneal transplant is not the equivalent of LASIK. Most people still will need eyeglasses or contacts for acute vision.
Other Keratoconus Treatment Options
There are several other options out there. There are different strategies for using lenses such as “piggybacking” lenses which is using multiple contacts to treat the disease. Another option is prosthetic lenses although this is not particularly common.
Finally, there’s a promising new treatment of corneal cross-linking which involves using special eye drops and UV light to tackle the condition. More research needs to be done, but this may become one of the top choices for Keratoconus treatment over the next few years.
The Best Way to Manage Keratoconus
Although Keratoconus is a serious condition, it is one you can manage. The first thing you need to do is have your vision screened by a specialist who will be able to give you a more thorough understanding of the condition and your options. From here, you can work with your doctor to find the best course of action for you. So be sure to look into our Keratoconus Clinic and see how we can help you.