Blog - Keratoconus Specialist

Cataract Treatment When You Have Keratoconus

As we age, natural circumstances can lead to a decrease in our vision or cause other problems with our eyesight. While most people see an eye doctor to get prescription glasses or contact lenses to improve their vision, there has been little in the way of relief for those with Keratoconus. Keratoconus is a vision disorder that happens when the round cornea becomes thin and cone shaped. This condition prevents light that enters the eye from being focused properly, and it can alter vision.

In the past, the only treatment for Keratoconus sufferers was a painful and invasive corneal transplant, but over the last decade new technology has provided improved treatment options. If you have cataracts and Keratoconus, it is important to get the best care possible in order to protect your vision. Treatment options include:

  • Intraocular Lenses (IOLs) – IOLs substitute the eye’s natural lenses that are detached during cataract surgery.
  • Toric IOLs – For cataract patients with astigmatism, Toric IOLs have the potential to improve visual perception like never before.
  • Monofocal IOLs – Monofocal IOLs may have costs partially covered by insurance, and they help vision at night or in low-light settings.
  • Holcomb C3-R® Treatment – By applying a vitamin-rich solution and exposing the eyes to UV light, the cornea can be strengthened to stop the progression of Keratoconus.

Learn more about getting treatment for Keratoconus so you can improve your vision today.

CATARACT TREATMENT WHEN YOU HAVE KERATOCONUS

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Finding Relief with LipiFlow®

Dealing with Keratoconus is difficult enough, but dry eyes and Keratoconus is a double trouble. For those who have been struggling with chronic dry eyes, LipiFlow® maybe the answer. Most patients have tried the over the counter “Get the Red Out” drops or artificial tears, and while they do relieve the irritation and symptoms of Dry Eye it is usually just a temporary fix. LipiFlow® allows you to have more permanent relief from your Dry Eye condition. Most patients experience relief after the treatment within a week.

The Procedure

The LipiFlow® treatment takes less than 15 minutes and can be performed in the doctor’s office. Disposable activators are placed on the eye lids to warm and gently massage the Meibomian glands on the eyelids. This loosens and releases oils that were clogging the glands, allowing fresh, clean oils to be excreted in the tear layers and protect the eyes.

There are between 30-40 meibum glands located within the eyelids that release certain amounts of oil into the tear fluid to help lubricate the eyes and stop the tears from evaporating. Sometimes these glands get clogged causing Dry Eye. The purpose of the LipiFlow® treatment is to loosen the blockage in the glands and allow them to release the natural flow of oil again.

Determining if you are a Good Candidate for LipiFlow®

The doctor will look for a few things before determining if you’re a good candidate for the treatment. They will look at your medical history, how long you have experienced chronic Dry Eye, how severe your dry eyes have been, and how the dry eye affected your daily activities. They will also have to determine what type you have before suggesting this treatment.They will also check the number of meibum glands are affected or clogged in the eyelids. Before determining if you are a good candidate all these factors must be taken into account. Over 65% of patients with dry eyes simply lack the proper level of oils within their tear fluid.

Benefits of LipiFlow®

Those with chronic Dry Eye understand the benefits of even the slightest relief from chronic dry eyes. Those who have explored most treatments for Dry Eye who still have little relief would most likely benefit from the LipiFlow® treatment. Below are a few additional benefits to consider.

Benefits:

• Little to no pain or discomfort
• Noninvasive procedure
• Quick procedure with quick results
• Unclogs the glands for more natural flow of lipid
• Can drive self to and from appointment – no need for a driver!

Dorys didn’t know what the cause of her excessive tearing was, and it ended up being Dry Eye!
Watch Dorys explain about her story, and how she finally got relief :

Vision Safety & Staying Active With Keratoconus

For those who are looking to get active this summer , but struggle with Keratoconus on a daily basis, there are several things you can do to protect your vision from getting worse and a few to stay active.

Keratoconus is a progressive eye condition that changes the shape of your cornea from spherical to cone shaped. This change causes many distortions in your vision. Below are a few tips to help you protect your vision and stay active during the summer months.

Vision Tips & Safety:

Always Wear Sunglasses or Eye Protection When Outside:

This is very important to remember not just in the summer months but all year around. The sun has very harmful rays which not only damage the eyes but can make your eye conditions worse if not protected. Research is showing that UV can increase free radicals which can lead to the cornea collagen breaking down further. It is important to wear sunglass eye wear that covers the sides as well as the front, this will ensure the most protection to your eyes.

Limit the Amount of Time Spent in Direct Sunlight:

If you work outside this may not be a feasible option, however if you don’t have to be in direct sunlight taking breaks throughout the day is a wise option. Some sunlight 20-30 minutes a day provides you the required amount of daily vitamin D, some sunlight is essential to staying healthy but remembering “everything in moderation” is always best.

Pay Attention to your eyes:

This seems like a common sense thing, but we often over look our vision until something goes considerable wrong. If you are noticing that you are squinting more or your contacts are becoming more uncomfortable, make an appointment to see your eye care provider sooner rather than later. If you find your desire to participate in activities is declining due to uncertainty with your vision, make an appointment to see your eye doctor.

It is important to educate ourselves and listen to our bodies when it comes to our health. Often we see the signs but we simply wave it off as being tired, dehydrated, or simply getting old when in fact it can be something much more serious. Don’t overlook signs or symptoms that might suggest your Keratoconus is progressing.

Below are a few signs you should never write off when it comes to your vision care:

• Increased blurred vision
• Frequent squinting
• Sudden eye pain
• Increasing discomfort while wearing contacts
• Increased and Frequent eye rubbing
• Sensitivity to Light
• Decreased night vision

If you see any changes in your vision, you should report it to your eye care professional right away to determine whether you need to be seen.

Watch Dr. Brian’s Summer Eye Health Tips Featured on the News to get yourself ready for an eye safe summer:

Has Keratoconus Affected Your Career?

Has Keratoconus forced you to give up your career? While Keratoconus is a progressive condition there are several treatments that are now available to help preserve and improve your vision.

In the past, Keratoconus was a diagnosis that often meant a painful corneal transplant and a long recovery period. Now there are treatments that provide patients diagnosed with Keratoconus options that can slow, reverse, and even stop the progression of the condition giving you back your vision and your career.

Below are some signs & symptoms:

• Blurred vision
• Double vision
• Frequent prescription changes
• Frequent rubbing of the eyes
• Foreign body sensations
• Deceased ability to wear contacts comfortably
• Halos around lights
• Light sensitivity
• Decreased night vision

There are several treatments that can provide you relief right away depending on the severity of your condition.

Today’s Keratoconus Treatments Include:

Intacs:

Intacs® are tiny crescent shaped lens inserts that are placed in the layer of the cornea. Intacs® provide help reshape the cornea and decrease vision distortion. Once in place, Intacs® do not require maintenance. If for any reason you don’t want them in the future, they can be removed.

Typically the procedure takes about 7 minutes and has a recovery time of about 24-48 hours. Patients report the recovery is fairly easy with little to no pain. Most activities can be resumed right away. Intacs® can be combined with other procedures to improve the outcome for Keratoconus treatment, including the Holcomb C3-R ®, and CK.

The Holcomb C3-R ®:

The Holcomb C3-R ® is a revolutionary treatment with over 12 years of proven results to stop the progression of Keratoconus. Just ask Olympic Gold Medalist and Bobsledder Steven Holcomb. He was diagnosed legally blind and almost gave up his career as a driver for the US Men’s Olympic Bobsled team. He decided to have the C3-R ® procedure done. The Holcomb C3-R ® not only preserved his vision, but when combined with the ICL (insertable contact lens) allowed him to continue to compete and he won Olympic Gold in 2010 and Olympic Bronze in 2014.

The Holcomb C3-R ® uses a natural vitamin call Riboflavin which is activated with a UV light during an easy 30 minutes office based treatment. Once the solution is activated it strengthens the cornea fibers over the next 16 weeks helping to stabilize Keratoconus and stop progression. This treatment is non-invasive and recovery is less than 24 hours. In 99.3% of patients, the treatment only needs to be performed once.

Watch the story of Steven Holcomb here:

What Are Keratoconus Inserts and How Do They Work?

As you grow up, your eyesight may undergo changes. For example, you may notice that things begin to get blurry, or you have trouble seeing objects in the distance. For those with Keratoconus, a condition that occurs when the cornea in the eye begins to thin and becomes cone-shaped, distorted vision and sensitivity to light may arise. How can this be treated? Luckily, Keratoconus inserts can be used to treat patients with the condition, and a study in the October 2005 issue of Archives of Ophthalmology resulted in nearly half of participants achieving 20/40 uncorrected vision or better.

Keratoconus inserts, also known as Intacs, are thin plastic rings inserted into the mid layer of the corneas. The procedure to receive an insert for Keratoconus takes approximately 15 minutes to complete, and the inserts work by helping stabilize the eyes. Once surgery is complete, patients must use prescribed eye drops, to avoid infection, and schedule follow up visits with their doctor to monitor progress.

What Are Keratoconus Inserts and How Do They Work

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Is Your Vision Becoming Worse at Night?

Discover your treatment options
Decreased night vision is a common symptom, without treatment is can be a great hindrance. While you should always have your eyes checked when there is change in your vision, sometimes patients may over look vision changes and chalk it up to the aging process. It is important to not overlook vision changes, especially if your vision is worsening at night.

While you are more susceptible to eye problems as you get older, age is may not be the reason for your vision changes. In fact, those who go untreated can have more severe loss of vision and treatment options may be limited because of a delay in treatment. Early detection of eye conditions can help prevent vision loss.

Below are other signs to report to your eye care professional:

• Frequent prescription changes
• Blurred vision
• Double vision
• Increased sensitivity to Light
• Frequent headaches
• Eye Pain
• Straining/Squinting

There are in fact several conditions that can cause decreased night vision. However the most common cause is a progressive condition called Keratoconus. Keratoconus is a misshapen cornea which causes a distortion in the view of the patient. Over time the cornea bulges into a cone shape instead of a sphere due to the thinning and weakening of the cornea over time.

A Few signs and Symptoms of Keratoconus:
• Frequent prescription changes
• Frequent eye rubbing
• Eye pain
• Blurred/Double Vision
• Straining/Squinting
• Decreased night vision

Keratoconus can be a shocking diagnosis but with early detection and proper treatment you can have your vision preserved. There are several treatment options which have show very positive results in the treatment of Keratoconus including the Holcomb C3-R ®, INTACS, and CK to name a few.
Watch revolutionary Keratoconus night blindness treatment by Dr. Brian featured on The Doctors:

How Can Keratoconus Affect Your Pitch This Baseball Season?

Baseball season is back in full swing and for those who suffer from Keratoconus this season maybe a struggle for some who have already been diagnosed and some who might not even know they are suffering.

In the past, the diagnosis of Keratoconus had been a difficult one for eye doctors to diagnose. However, in recent years with modern equipment and increased training, more doctors are able to diagnose the condition sooner. The sooner a patient is diagnosed the better the prognosis for Keratoconus treatment and improving vision.

Below you will find some signs & symptoms of Keratoconus:

• Frequent changes in prescriptions
• Frequent eye rubbing
• Frequent squinting
• Blurred/Double Vision
• Poor night vision
• Sensitivity to light
• Halos/glares around lights

Blurred vision can be a problem if you are playing baseball. Your pitch depends on your ability to aim at the plate. Blurred vision can distort your view of the plate and cause you to struggle seeing when aiming for your target. Keratoconus can hinder your depth perception causing you to throw the ball to short or too far over the base when pitching.

In addition, if you are up to bat, blurred vision can cause you to misjudge when to swing your bat.
Your sight is a great treasure and reporting any changes, no matter how minor, to your eye care professional will help you in finding available treatment options.

Watch Tommy Pham of the Cardinals baseball team discuss his experience with Keratoconus treatments:

Finding Dry Eye Relief with LipiFlow

Thousands of people each year struggle with Dry Eye. Dry eyes are caused by a decrease in tear production or trouble blinking. Many have used over-the-counter drops or artificial tears to help them with some relief, however long-term treatment options for dry eyes was few and far between until LipiFlow.

What is Lipiflow?

LipiFlow is a treatment that opens and cleans out the Mebomian glands allowing them to produce clean lipids. LipiFlow uses a thermal pulsation system and applies controlled heat to the eyelids, warming the glands and liquefying the clogged oil.

Why use LipiFlow?

LipiFlow is a non-invasive procedure to help treat an underlying cause of Dry Eye. It uses new technology to clean and reopen your lipid glands. Other treatments such as over-the-counter drops and artificial tears only provide temporary relief but the LipiFlow treatment can provide a more lasting effect.

Symptoms of Dry Eye:

 Foreign body sensation
 Itching
 Burning
 Frequently watery eyes
 Frequent eye rubbing
 Red eyes
 Eye pain

About Dry Eye:

Dry Eye is a common condition that can cause pain and irritation of the eyes. It can also interrupt a patient’s life considerably.
Learn more about dry eyes with the LipiFlow treatment clink on the video below.

Keratoconus Symptoms & How They Affect Your Daily Life

Keratoconus is a progressive eye condition that changes the shape of your cornea. This change causes many difficulties in the patient’s everyday life. The patient’s quality of vision deteriorates as the condition gets worse over the years. Many patients suffer from poor night vision, blurred, or double vision, and may have other symptoms which can cause them to become unable to drive at night, play sports, or causing problems completing tasks at school and/or work.

Keratoconus treatments improve the problem from its source by reshaping the cornea and strengthening it. These treatments can improve your overall quality of vision and reduce the likelihood the condition will progress further.

Some Symptoms are:

• Blurred vision
• Double vision
• Poor night vision
• Frequent eye rubbing
• Frequent prescription changes
• Glares over lights/halos

Many patients with Keratoconus have difficulty dealing with the symptoms. Treatments like the Holcomb C3-R®, INTACS, and CK can improve the condition greatly and give you a better quality of vision. In some cases the Holcomb C3-R® and INTACS can be done in combination and can slow, stop, and even sometimes reverse the visual presentation of Keratoconus by flattening the cones.

Holcomb C3-R® Crosslinking System: A non-invasive treatment that uses a solution which is created with a vitamin called Riboflavin. This procedure requires the use of UV lights at activate the solution over once it is applied. It takes about 30 minutes and strengthens the corneal fibers

INTACS: INTACS are tiny inserts that are placed in the cornea to help reshape it to a more normal shape and reduce distortion.

If you are looking for treatment options for Keratoconus you can read more about Holcomb C3-R® and INTACS to see for yourself how they can help with your symptoms and treat your disease.

Watch the video below to see ‘First Hand’ how these treatments can change your life:

Two Common Eye Problems & Their Treatments

There are several eye conditions that are treated regularly every year. Most patients experience at least one of these common conditions in their lifetime. We often forget to take care of our eyes as we become adults. The old saying “Out of Sight, Out of Mind” often plays its part when it comes to the eyes.
Those who play sports may have a greater likelihood of getting common eye injuries like detached retina or snow blindness if they are actively outdoors. Viral and bacterial infections like pink eye are also common. Below are a few more common eye conditions and their treatment options.
1) Dry Eyes: Dry Eye is a very common condition that can be a problem for many patients. Whether it’s mild or severe it can stop or reduce your daily activities.
Treatments: Some known treatments for Dry Eye are over the counter drops. Artificial tears or even a new non-invasive procedure called LipiFlow.
Watch Susan’s story about her experience with LipiFlow after seeing a number of doctors who never provide hope for her dry eyes

2) Cataracts: Cataracts quite often affect those who are increased in age. Cataracts are a cloud that forms over the eyes lens. It progresses over time and decreases vision of the patient who has it.
Treatment: Treatment for advanced Cataracts is most often surgery where the natural lens is removed and replaced with a clear, artificial lens. Cataracts often develop more rapidly and deteriorate the vision more quickly in those who suffer with other medical conditions like Type 2 diabetes.
Watch Allen’s story about his experience with Cataract surgery and how he know sees like a teenager: