Keratoconus
Normal Eye
Keratoconus eye
Keratoconus
Keratoconus is a disease of the cornea that causes a weakening of the cornea – (the outer dome shaped ‘window’ of the eye) – leading to a gradual outward bulging of the eye. Instead of having a rounded cornea the shape of a soccer ball, the cornea becomes the shape of a rugby ball when developing Keratoconus.
Corneal Cross Linking is a very promising new treatment for some patients suffering from Keratoconus.
Most often, this bulging is in the lower half of the cornea and first presents as astigmatism. (Astigmatism means ‘without a point.’) This prevents the cornea’s ability to converge the light rays into one focusing point, thereby producing moderate to severe blurred vision. However, not all astigmatism is due to Keratoconus. In mild or early stages of Keratoconus, (Forme Fruste Keratoconus) glasses or soft contact lenses may correct the astigmatic vision and produce clear vision. It might be advisable to consult an ophthalmologist during the early development of Keratoconus.
Using an innovative new laser technology, we achieve ultimate precision and safety in cataract surgery. The following pages will tell you more about this new technology and help you decide if the laser precision method is right for you.
As always, ask your doctor if you have specific questions or concerns not covered on this website.
The blue image is a cross section of the eye. The irregular cornea is the outer section left bulging downwards and prevents light entering the eye to focus on one central point in the back of the eye on the retina.
Corneal Cross Linking Treatment detail
- Other treatments
- Hard Contact Lens.
As Keratoconus advances, rigid-gas-permeable, scleral and other contact lenses now available on the market for keratoconic patients, might be the only non-surgical way to achieve clear vision. Discuss your options with an optometrist who is well skilled in this field.
What happens on the day of your treatment?
Corneal Cross Linking can be done in the doctor’s rooms or in an operating theatre. If you are a candidate for this procedure, you will lie down on a bed, made comfortable, and music of your choice will be played. The preparation and treatment last about 30 minutes per eye, of which the cross linking procedure will take only 5 minutes.
Before the treatment is commenced, you will receive a sedative and local anaesthetic drops will be instilled into your eyes. You will experience no discomfort or pain during the procedure.
When the treatment is completed, you are discharged immediately afterwards. The doctor will prescribe eye drops and analgesic medication, for your eyes might feel quite sensitive after the local anaesthetic has worn out. This will last only for a few days.
View the Peschke PDF to see the Crosslinking device.
