Blog - Keratoconus Specialist

There are several things you can do if you feel you are suffering from Keratoconus. The professionals will help not only evaluate your physical status but also take a thorough examination of your medical history.

The Ophthalmologist or Optometrist will also give you tests to check your visual acuity. This means reading letters from an eye chart much like a general eye evaluation. It can also include measuring the curvature of the corneas using a topographer. Having an irregular curvature could mean possible Keratoconus.

One additional test that is often performed is a cornea ultrasound(Pachymetry). This will measure the cornea thickness. A thin cornea can be a sign of Keratoconus.

Another test examines your cornea with a slit lamp(Microscope). More advanced cases can be determined right away with this test, because of the yellow-brown or olive-green rings or a (Fleischer ring)

Fleischer Ring-

Seen in 50% of patients with Keratoconus. Also caused by Iron Oxide Hemosiderin that is deposited in the Corneal Epithelium.

Vogt’s Striae- These are fine lines or (stress lines) caused by stretching and can be seen on the front of the cornea.

Munson’s Sign- is another give away of Keratoconus. This is a V-shaped indentation and sometimes seen in the lower eyelid when the sufferer moves their line of sight in the downward direction. Most signs are detected before this stage and is seldom used for diagnosing keratoconus.

It is important to get a definitive diagnosis for keratoconus. Many times it requires several tests to make an absolute confirmation. There are numerous other conditions that have similar symptoms of keratoconus. Make sure you are being seen by a specialist in diagnosis of keratoconus and ask questions if you do not understand your diagnosis. After all it is your health at stake.

For more information about keratoconus visit the American Academy of Opthamology

Understanding that Keratoconus is a progressive disease and causes stress on the patients should be important to your health care provider. The use of our vision is something we often take for granted until something like this happens. Although we learn the signs, symptoms, and treatment for Keratoconus the medical side of the disease is not the only area we need to manage.

As human beings we are emotional. Our feelings and emotions can play a big part, especially if the disease progresses and how we take care of our disease. Learning to cope with Keratoconus and not let it break us down in our daily life is equally important. We need to know how this can effect us at home and where to look for help.

Below are a few tips to help keep you focused and cope:

Tip 1: Remember we are not alone- There are several places that provide support Online and off to Keratoconus patients. The American Keratoconus Association is a great resource and provides lots of support and information on this disease. Also the Global Keratoconus Foundation provides support groups and activities to help Keratoconus patients. Turning to family and friends to support you and talk to you also helps relief the stress of this progressive disease.

Tip 2: Enjoy yourself- Spend some time pampering yourself. Doing the things you enjoy doing. If you aren’t as able to do the things you have always done…remember you can always try some new ones. Finding activities to occupy your time will help you focus on the happy times and deal with your situation with a clear mind….remember you must not dwell on what can’t be changed.

Tip 3: Participate in your treatment- One thing we take for granted is that we can be our own advocate. You can learn more about your options, ask questions, and decide who your doctor is going to be. The important thing is to make sure you are comfortable with them. That they have your best intentions at heart.

Know that you are not alone. That there is help for you and others going through the same things you are. Reach out for them…share your experiences you maybe able to ease someone else’s pain while you are at it. Keratoconus is progressive but there is help and remember to take it one day at a time!

For more information visit the American Academy of Opthamology

The eyes are a complex organ with all its layers and parts having an examination regularly is important. However knowing the signs of serious eye conditions can help it be detected and treated early. Keratoconus is a progressive eye disorder. It changes the shape of the cornea and damages the vision severely if not treated.

Below are some signs of Keratoconus:

There are many ways to tell if your eyes are in distress. It is important to see an eye doctor as soon as these signs make themselves apparent. Below are a few signs to look for:

•  Itchy eyes
• Poor vision at night
• Sensitivity to light
•  Blurred vision with new glasses or contacts
•  Ghost images
• Difficulty seeing far away
•  Flares and streaks around light
• Eye strain

Keratoconus doesn’t usually cause pain so you should be getting regular checkups. There are several symptoms related to keratoconus so you should consult your eye doctor at the first sign of symptoms, so treatment can be determined and started.

Treatment for Keratoconus:

After you have been diagnosed with keratoconus there are many treatment options that can relieve the symptoms you and your doctor can discuss. Typically in the early stages glasses are worn to help improve the patients vision. However as the disease worsens the use of glasses to correct vision isn’t enough. At that stage it is usually recommended use of special contact lenses.

The special contact lenses will help smooth out the cornea so vision can improve. This is done when the tear fluid fills gaps that keratoconus causes, between the cornea and the lens. If the lenses are not properly removed and replaced they can create more damage to the cornea and hinder the vision more. Once contact lens become uncomfortable for patients many option for corneal implants (INTACS) surgery or insertable contact lenses surgery. Many patients prefer the insertable contact lens and they require less care and are easier to maintain. A new procedure C3-R (Corneal Collagen Crosslinking)which involves one at a time application of a special solution to the eye, supervised by an eye doctor, is showing promise on stopping the progression of the disease. Many patients are apt to have this treatment to avoid the need for surgery and stop the loss of vision.

Lasting Effects of Keratoconus:

Diagnoses of the disease is usually in adolescents however it seems to worsen the most in the 20’s and 30’s. Keratoconus is unpredictable and can vary from patient to patient. How fast or slow the disease progresses will depend on the patient. When the disease progresses to both eyes it is difficult for the patient to live normally. It is harder for the patient to drive or even read. The implants are a good relief at this stage, in some severe cases a cornea transplant is needed to relieve the patient. Though this condition is a serious disease if you are seen regularly the disease can be managed and treated. If left untreated it can severely impair your vision. Seek a doctor immediately if you feel you may suffer from this condition, and protect your sight!

For more information about keratoconus visit Wikipedia

Being diagnosed with Keratoconus is a hard thing. Learning what comes next in the process is most important. There are several tests that will be preformed on you to determine the condition of your cornea. This is one of the steps to determining how your doctor will treat your Keratoconus.

Slit-Lamp-

When you doctor is examining you he will want to look closer into you cornea. When he does this he will use a keratoscope. This device will help him see the surface of your cornea. It is not invasive and it will give him a better idea of the damage to your cornea.

Corneal Topography-

This instrument will give him more accurate details of the damaged area by looking at the cornea’s pattern. It analyzes the cornea’s topography and projects a digital image. The doctor can see the damage or scarring on the cornea and it can let the doctor see just how fast the disease is progressing.

Staging Keratoconus-

There are three levels of severity when it comes to Keratoconus. The doctor can use his topography and determine with close certainty how severe the disease is. Below are a few ways to tell:

Testing Steepness of greatest Curvature

40-45D is mild

52 D is considered advance

Above 52D is severe

Thickness of the Cornea

Mild- 506

Advanced- Less than 446

Morphology of the Cone-

If the cone is sagging it too is an indicator of the advancing of the disease.

Since the use of Corneal Topography we have not used the terms advanced and severe as we used to. However the image that they provide will help you doctor determine the next course of action. Making sure you ask questions and understand what is going on every step of the way will ensure a greater chance of full recovery. Trust your doctor and let him know you concerns I am sure he will listen!

For more information about keratoconus visit AllAboutVision.com

Keratoconus is a progressive disease in which the cornea becomes misshaped (cone like shaped) and overtime decreases quality of vision. Though this disease can be disturbing when first explained, there are many treatments to assist in improving your overall vision. In some cases the vision can be restored if the cornea is strengthened and re-shaped.

Understanding that there are several treatments for this disease today can help you have peace of mind.

Keratoconus is often diagnosed in stages. These stages are determined by the progression of the Keratoconus and will also help the eye care professional determine which treatments are best for you. In years past, the treatment options that were initially discussed with glasses or contact lenses and then as the disease progresses doctors would encourage a cornea transplant. Most patients found the option of Keratoconus disturbing.

Today, there are other procedures that can be performed that preserve and improve vision. These treatments are Holcomb C3-R ®, INTACS, or even CK. Some of these procedures can be done in combination with each other to get a better result, improving your vision and providing better comfort in contacts.

Holcomb C3-R® (cornea collagen crosslinking) is an easy non-invasive treatment. Many describe this treatment as a natural vitamin treatment. A proprietary vitamin solution is instilled in the eyes and then activated by a UV light. The Holcomb C3-R ® only takes about 30 minutes to perform. Over the next 4-6 months the cornea continues to strengthen and stabilize your vision.

INTACS are often used in combination with the Holcomb C3-R® treatment. INTACS are tiny crescent moon-like shaped lenses that are placed in the layer of the cornea to provide support and improve your overall vision. The use of INTACS can improve your vision almost immediately and you can make a full recovery from this procedure within 2-8 weeks.

Below are some symptoms of Keratoconus:

 Double Vision
 Frequent Rubbing of Eyes
 Frequent changes in prescriptions
 Sensitivity to Light
 Ghost images
 Sudden Change in vision
 Halos
 Glares around lights

Dr. Brian Boxer Wachler, MD is a renowned eye surgeon specializing in Keratoconus Treatments, and other procedures. He developed alternatives to corneal transplants in 1999. Dr. Brian offers a complimentary record review to determine if these procedures might be right for you. Contact his office to reserve your complimentary records review: 310-594-5210

Watch how Jake’s vision was restored and he avoided the need for a cornea transplant:

If you have a family history of Keratoconus you may already be familiar with some of the treatments of the condition. However over the past 10 years there has been great advancements in the treatments used for Keratoconus. So the treatment plans that may have been used in the past for your family members like corneal transplants are rarely needed to treat the condition. In fact 95% or more of patients diagnosed with Keratoconus never need a corneal transplant.

There are several new treatments that have been developed for use in patients with Keratoconus. These treatments often lead to a greater improvement in the quality of vision for the patients for now and in the future. The progression of the condition often slows, or stops with some treatments. Designing a treatment plan is a great first step in your treatments. Below are some of the signs of Keratoconus. If you have any of these signs, and a family history consult your eye care professional.

Below you will find the symptoms of Keratoconus. If you have or had any of the following symptoms it is wise to report them to your eye doctor right away:

Problems with night vision

Headaches

Eye strain

Sudden clouding of vision

Frequent prescription changes

Blurred or distorted vision

Increased sensitivity to light

Halos around lights at night

Double vision

Remember that your eyes are your key to the world. And while we can make it without our vision it is important to take care of the eyes you have. Be sure to go to the eye doctor once a year, every 6 months if you have underlining conditions like diabetes type 2, cataracts, Keratoconus, etc. Your vision is important to the quality of your life. So improve your quality of vision by finding the right doctor and keeping up with your yearly checkups.

For more information on Keratoconus visit Wikipedia.

Summer is here and many of us are thinking of ways to stay fit through exercise and healthy eating. We can’t forget that we can improve our vision health by eating better and getting the right amount of vitamins daily as well. There are several foods we eat everyday that can improve your overall eye health.

Listed below are some foods and vitamins that are vital to your eye health:

There are several foods that can help you improve your vision by including them in your daily diet. In addition these foods can assist you in improving your bodies overall function. Take a few minutes to read the list and how they can help improve your vision.

Riboflavin – Vitamin B2

Riboflavin also known as Vitamin B2 provides benefits for your vision but also improves the production of other vitamins which benefit the rest of your body (Vitamin B3- Niacin & Vitamin B6 Pyridoxine). Riboflavin helps the body’s cells produce energy from our intake of protein, fats, and carbohydrates.

Foods with Riboflavin:

• Spinach
• Mushrooms
• Pasta (Egg noodles)
• Milk
• Cottage Cheese
• Pork
• Fish including (Trout, Squid, Salmon)
• Cuttlefish – Contains highest amount of Riboflavin – (1.3 mg per serving)

EFA – Essential Fatty Acids

Essential Fatty Acids are not just important to your eye health but your body’s overall health because the body doesn’t naturally produce them. Ensuring that they are a part of your diet regularly is important to your body.

There are two types of essential fatty acids:

Omega-3

Omega-3s are found in breast milk and are essential to our early development. Omega-3s also help protect vision from conditions like macular degeneration, and even Ery Eye syndrome. EFAs or essential fatty acids are also known to help drain intraocular fluid which can reduce the risk of high blood pressure and risk of Glaucoma.

Foods- (with Omega-3s)

• Tuna
• Herring
• Sardines
• Salmon

Recommended amounts would be 2 serving per week.

Omega-6

While Omega-6 can’t be produced by our bodies, it is in a lot of the foods we already eat regularly. In fact, most of us get too much Omega-6 so it is not often recommended to eat additional amounts with our daily diet. Of the EFAs, it is recommended that your focus be on Omega-3s.

To see a news segment about foods that are good for the eyes, as well as other helpful summer eye health tips, watch below.

For those suffering from Keratoconus, an eye condition caused by the thinning of the cornea that results in distorted vision and sensitivity to light, finding relief is a top priority. Conductive keratoplasty is a non-invasive, non-laser surgery used to correct eyesight by adjusting the shape of the cornea. However, it is important for individuals to learn more about the procedure so that they are prepared for the road ahead as they seek treatment.

The procedure, also referred to as CK, is used to correct presbyopia, astigmatism, and low hyperopia, but it does not remove tissue from the eye like LASIK surgery. Anesthetic drops are used to numb your eye, and radio frequency energy is applied to the treatment area to adjust the cornea. Both of your eyes can be treated in one visit, and the procedure only takes a few minutes from start to finish. If you have Keratoconus or another eye condition, be sure to talk to your doctor about the benefits of conductive keratoplasty.

Living with eye troubles or diminishing eyesight can be difficult because these problems can keep you from doing the things you love most. Keratoconus is a progressive eye disorder that causes your cornea to thin and take on a cone-like shape, leading to blurred vision and sensitivity to light. This disorder is becoming more common, and a new study suggests that 1 in 500 people are living with Keratoconus. Understanding the symptoms of Keratoconus will allow you to spot when you may start to develop it and seek treatment from your eye doctor.

Keratoconus patients may notice that they excessively rub their eyes and have trouble seeing at night. In addition, frequent changes to your eyeglass prescription may point to the development of the disorder. It is important to be open with your doctor, friends, and family about your eyesight so you can explore potential treatments before your sight worsens. Talk with your doctor about your symptoms and learn about the next steps for your recovery.

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For those with a family history of Keratoconus you probably already know the severity of the condition; however, if it has been a decade or two you might not be familiar with the newer, more advanced treatment options for Keratoconus.

In the past Keratoconus was mainly treated by using a corneal transplant. Often painful and with long recovery times and complications, they were a necessary but not convenient or desirable procedure. Over the past decades there have been many new treatments developed which cause little to no pain and provide much faster recovery times.

Signs & Symptoms of Keratoconus:

• Frequent Prescription changes
• Frequent eye rubbing
• Blurred vision
• Double vision
• Light sensitivity
• Halos around lights

Treatments for Keratoconus:

Keratoconus is a progressive condition that causes changes thinning and distortion of the cornea. Over time these changes cause distortions in the vision of the patient. There are several new treatments to strengthen and change the shape and of the cornea before the need for a corneal transplant. The treatment options have been extremely effective and reduced the need for corneal transplants to less than 5%.

Treatments:

Holcomb C3-R® Crosslinking System

Holcomb C3-R® is a non-invasive procedure that uses a Riboflavin solution activated by an ultraviolet light to strengthen the collagen fibers of the cornea. This helps to reduce glare and halos in the vision, while also stopping the progression of the Keratoconus.

The Holcomb C3-R® is a only a 30 minute treatment, however it continues to strengthen the cornea for up to 3-6 months after the treatment. Another great aspect is that it can also be performed in combination with other treatments to improve your results even further.

INTACS®

INTACS® are tiny crescent shaped inserts that are placed within the cornea to help change the shape of the cornea. INTACS® can also be used in combination with the Holcomb C3-R® to reduce distortions and increase comfort of glasses and contacts.
Conductive Keratoplasty (CK)

CK is a vision correction treatment that uses heat to change the shape of the cornea and reduce astigmatism. When combined with the Holcomb C3-R® Crosslinking System, the CK treatment can effectively reduce astigmatism for a period of several years. Due to the nature of the cornea in Keratoconus patients the effect of CK can diminish with time. Patients may elect to have future CK to reduce astigmatism, if needed.

Watch Brad, a resident in general surgery, talk about his Keratoconus treatments, click below.