Tag: Keratoconus Signs

Encouraging Early Detection For the Treatment of Keratoconus

Knowing your family history is an important step in early detection, and early treatment of Keratoconus. Understanding that knowing how progressed your condition is will help determine how aggressive your treatment needs to be. Finding the symptoms, signs, and your family history can help keep a better quality of vision throughout your life.

Taking care of your vision is not just important to you but it is important to your family as well. Making sure that you are comfortable and can talk with your eye care professional should be at the top of your list when locating the right doctor. Below are a few tips that can help you with developing a sound treatment plan for your Keratoconus and your life.

It is also important that you report all your symptoms, and family history to your eye care professionals. They can help you with the diagnosis of several conditions before they compromise the quality of your vision.

Below are a few reasons to get early treatment for Keratoconus:

Early Detection can improve your chances of treatment

Early Detection can slow the progression of Keratoconus by getting treatment early

Early Detection can save/preserve your vision

Early Detection can give you more treatment options for Keratoconus

The doctors are a very important part of your treatment but so are you! Ensuring that you assist in your own treatment plan will improve your chances of a successful recovery.

Learn more about treatment options for Keratoconus visit the American Academy of Opthamology.

Discovering Keratoconus: Symptoms & Treatments

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.

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 :

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:

Improvements for Keratoconus Treatments & What You Should Know

The disease Keratoconus is a progressive condition that causes the patients quality of vision to decrease gradually over time. In the past there was only one main treatment for Keratoconus other than eye glasses or contact lenses, which was corneal transplants. Over the past decade or longer, technology has improved the treatments for Keratoconus including treatments like INTACS®, Holcomb C3-R®, and even CK.

These treatments alone or combined can improve the patients overall vision, and in almost all cases they have been known to stop the progression of Keratoconus.

Holcomb C3-R® Crosslinking System:

The Holcomb C3-R® is a treatment which is making incredible progress in the treatments for patients with Keratoconus. Keratoconus is a progressive condition that damages the cornea or the lens of the eye causing it to go from a dome shape to cone shape distorting the vision. The Holcomb C3-R® strengthens the corneal fibers allowing the cornea to return to its original shape over time and stopping the progression of the disease.

INTACS® are also a great treatment to help those with Keratoconus. There are many that also have the ability to combine both the Holcomb C3-R® with INTACS® to provide them with a better quality of vision and in some cases remove the need for glasses or contacts. INTACS® are tiny inserts that are placed within the cornea to help shape and provide support to your vision.

INTACS® Benefits:

Less-invasive procedure
Takes less than an hour
An outpatient procedure
Can be used in combination with other procedures
Less maintenance, can be easily removed if necessary

Dr. Brian Boxer Wachler, MD is a renowned eye surgeon specializing in Keratoconus treatments, and other procedures.

Here numerous stories of patients whose lives were changed by having their Keratoconus fixed by Dr. Brian: http://tiny.cc/m7h0ix

Early Prevention of Keratoconus Can Save Your Vision. Don’t Fall Off the Keratoconus Cliff!

There has been great strides of progress when it comes to Keratoconus and over the last decade we have found several new treatments to improve your overall quality of vision. Although Keratoconus is a progressive disease there are several treatments that can improve your vision and in some cases reverse the damage already done by the disease. There are screenings that help predict Keratoconus at an early stage.

Yearly screenings are important. They can help your eye care professional spot early signs of Keratoconus. If you have a family history of the disease you should inform the doctor right away. This will help them detect the disease in its earliest stage. There are several treatments available to assist you with your Keratoconus and improve your disease allowing you to be free of glasses and contact lenses in some cases. Below are some early warning signs of Keratoconus and New treatments for those with the disease.

Keratoconus Symptoms:

  • Blurred vision
  • Frequent Prescription changes
  • Halos
  • Difficulty with night vision
  • Excessive rubbing of the eyes
  • Double Vision
  • Headaches

Treatments for Keratoconus:

  • Glasses, contact lenses – Changing prescriptions
  • IOL’s or Intra Ocular Lenses
  • CK
  • Holcomb C3-R ®
  • INTACS for Keratoconus

So if your question is, can Keratoconus be cured? No, but it can be treated. You can improve your overall quality of vision. And the earlier it is caught the better your vision can get. Some of the treatments in some cases have reversed the damage done by Keratoconus, but in most cases you can still get your vision back. So stop paying attention to all the blogs, magazines, articles, and general doctors, and consult an expert. Dr. Boxer Wachler, MD is a renowned eye surgeon specializing in Keratoconus treatments, LASIK, I-BRITE eye whitening, and other procedures.

Patient Pioneer – Dr. Brian’s Very First Intacs® for Keratoconus Patient 20 years ago

Evaluating a Family History of Keratoconus: Tips & Signs

When it comes to Keratoconus there are many questions about family history. The truth is you should always let your physician or eye care professional know when there is a history of medical conditions in the family. This can help them better assess your conditions. In fact many conditions are diagnosed with the help of family histories.

In past years there was little in the way of treatments when it came to Keratoconus. Many patients had to receive corneal transplants to relieve the Keratoconus. But now there are several new treatments which are very effective in slowing progression, reversing damage, and strengthening the cornea. This gives Keratoconus patients a much better prognosis in there Keratoconus treatment.

For those with a family history of Keratoconus having a family history only makes you at higher risk of getting the condition it’s not a guarantee. There are several steps to diagnosing Keratoconus but it can help the doctor determine your risk.

Below are some tips to help you find out more about Keratoconus:

Research- Research is a big part of being pro-active in your own health. Finding the right doctor, educating yourself on the conditions, and arming yourself with information will help you ensure that you get the right health care.

Finding the Right Doctor-It is important that you are comfortable with the doctor your choose whether it is an eye doctor, or general health care provider building trust and being able to ask them questions will help them and you in your treatment plans.

Be honest with them- No matter how small you think the change is be sure to tell them everything. Leaving things out can hinder your own treatment or diagnosis. Telling them when you have changes or even logging your symptoms will help them greatly in determining what it going on with your body.

Below are Signs of Keratoconus:

  • Frequent Eye Rubbing
  • Frequent Changes in prescriptions
  • Blurred or double vision
  • Halos or glares around lights
  • Sensitivity to light
  • Poor night vision
  • Dry eyes
  • Squinting or Straining Your Eyes

In traditional treatments glasses, contact lenses like RGP (Rigid Gas Permeable lenses) were used before the eventual corneal transplant. Now with today’s technology we are now rarely using the corneal transplants and treatments are more effective than ever before. Treatments like the Holcomb C3-R® procedure stop this progressive debilitating eye disease. When combined with Holcomb C3-R is combined with INTACS in addition to being effective in slowing/stopping the progression and/or reversing the progression of Keratoconus.

The overall outlook of Keratoconus treatment is a great one and with continued research and improvements to Keratoconus treatments we have less pain, and more improvement in your quality of vision.

Watch how Brianna’s life was changed by these advanced Keratoconus treatments: http://youtu.be/KZFC8NOp_hI

For more information on risk factors of Keratoconus visit www.nkcf.org/about-Keratoconus

Are You Ready for Treatments For Keratoconus?

Keratoconus is a progressive disease that causes your vision to become distorted. Your cornea develops a cone shape causing the outer lens (cornea) of your eye to show you an unclear image. There are treatments now available for Keratoconus that will give you a more improved view of the images in front of you. Normally it would take several years for this condition to progress, however if you have high risk factor,(ie. history of rubbing eyes) our have a medical condition, such as Diabetes it can accelerated the process.

In the past there was only one main treatment for Keratoconus other than eye glasses, or contact lenses which was corneal transplants. Over the past decade or more technology has improved Keratoconus treatments has advanced, including Keratoconus treatments like INTACS, Holcomb C3-R ® (cornea collagen crosslinking), and even CK. These treatments alone or combine can improve the patients overall vision, and in some cases they have been known to stop the progress of the condition or even reverse the damage done by Keratoconus.

Holcomb C3-R ® Crosslinking System:

The Holcomb C3-R ® or the Corneal Crosslinking treatment strengthens the corneal fibers. This allows for stabilization of vision. If you have a more advanced type of Keratoconus, other treatments might be needed in combination with the Holcomb C3-R ® treatment. The Holcomb C3-R ® heals the eye quickly and efficiently when it comes to Keratoconus.

The Holcomb C3-R ® is done by non-invasive methods. It generally takes around 30 minutes and your experience can be beneficial if done right in the doctors office.

The Holcomb C3-R ® can be done at the same time as other procedures improving the patients quality of vision even more. Compatible procedures include INTACS, CK, and the Visian ICL.

Watch the incredible life changing story about Steven Holcomb overcome his Keratoconus to win a Gold Medal: Steven Holcomb Conquering Keratoconus

For more information about keratoconus visit the American Keratoconus Association

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         ©2019 BOXER WACHLER VISION INSTITUTE OF BEVERLY HILLS. 465 N. Roxbury Drive, Suite 902, Beverly Hills, CA 90210.                          Call: 310.594.5210  Or   Text: 424.245.0171  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. email: info@boxerwachler.com.

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How the Symptoms of Keratoconus Can Affect Your Daily Life

Many people have heard of Keratoconus some have even known someone with the condition or are possibly dealing with it personally. But many still don’t understand how the condition works and how it will affect their daily life. Keratoconus is a progressive condition that affects your vision by distorting the image you see in front of you. The reason this happens is because Keratoconus causes the shape of the cornea to protrude like a hernia. Instead of a sphere the cornea is shaped more like a cone. This cone shape causes the light to reflect off the cornea in an irregular way. Over time this continues to gradually diminish your vision and the way you view things.

Keratoconus can occur either gradually over time or after injury. In some there seems to be a genetic family inheritance risk factor. It is important to understand the symptoms of this progressive condition because if it goes untreated for too long it can cause severe damage to the patient’s eyes.

Below are some signs and symptoms of Keratoconus:

Frequent blurred vision
Frequent rubbing of the eyes
Frequent changes in prescription
Seeing Halos & Glare around lights at night
Decreased night vision
High amount of astigmatism
Poor vision in glasses
Poor comfort in contacts
Increased difficulty wearing contacts all day

Understanding how the early signs affect you and recognizing them can help with more effective treatment, even possible prevention. But it can also help you understand what will happen to your vision as the condition progresses.

Frequent Changes in Prescriptions:

While many of us have been to the eye care professional as long as we can remember we don’t usually need a new prescription each year. But if you are noticing that you are in need of prescriptions more frequently you may want to bring it up with your eye doctor. This could be a symptoms of early stage Keratoconus.

Decreased Night Vision:

One of the major signs of Keratoconus is decreased night vision. Many of us struggle with seeing far distances in the day without our glasses or contacts but a disruption in your vision at night can cause many problems. If you work at night, or travel this can disrupt your day. Let the eye doctor know if you are having more difficulty driving at night or seeing even in the passenger’s side this will help them better diagnosis you.

Learn about one man’s struggle with Night Vision lead him to seek treatment to restore and improve his vision with Keratoconus treatments: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tr2DeAQA-DI&feature=share&list=PL14E3E9271888A2F4

For more information about keratoconus visit the American Keratoconus Association

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         ©2019 BOXER WACHLER VISION INSTITUTE OF BEVERLY HILLS. 465 N. Roxbury Drive, Suite 902, Beverly Hills, CA 90210.                          Call: 310.594.5210  Or   Text: 424.245.0171  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. email: info@boxerwachler.com.

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Can LASIK Improve Your Quality of Vision if You Have Keratoconus?

For those who have Keratoconus there are many treatments to help improve their symptoms and quality of vision. Over time the cornea deteriorates and it becomes harder to see despite your use of contacts or glasses.

LASIK treatment is often an option that individuals seek to improve vision. However, if you have Keratoconus LASIK can accelerate the disease and lead to a cornea transplant. Therefore, what does one do to improve their vision when LASIK is not an option?

The good news is there has been great advancement in the treatment of Keratoconus and improving vision. Treatments such as Holcomb C3-R® (cornea collagen crosslinking) can stabilize the vision and allow you to improve your vision with treatments such as Visian ICL (permanent, no maintenance, insert-able contact lens) and PRK (surface laser treatment).

Visian ICL is a permanent contact lens that is inserted inside the eye just behind the iris (color) portion of the eye. Once in place your vision can be greatly improved. The benefit is that these lenses do not need to be removed or clean – it is a maintenance free vision correction option.

PRK is a surface laser treatment that gently re-shapes the cornea to improve vision. This procedure is ideal for patients with mild Keratoconus.

The use of glasses and contacts are often not enough for treatment and other techniques are needed to gain improved quality of vision. Patients who are uncomfortable with glasses and contacts can benefit from Visian ICL or PRK treatments.

In order to take advantage of these vision correction options when you have Keratoconus, the first step is to have your vision stabilized with the Holcomb C3-R® (cornea collagen crosslinking) procedure. This is a one-time treatment that stabilizes the vision and stops the progressive vision changes.

Dr. Brian Boxer Wachler, MD is a renowned eye surgeon specializing in Keratoconus treatments, and other procedures.

Learn more about Keratoconus treatments from other patients: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nAL-XlfapEU&feature=share&list=PLSX2cKGbtvMzDbNrXs0xBYgSJ1HSyZV6d

For more information about keratoconus visit the American Keratoconus Association

Home   |   About Us   |   Cornea Cross Linking   |   Intacs   |   CK   |   Visian ICL   |   PRK   |   Testimonials   |   Media   |   Blog   |   Fly In   |   Research   |   Privacy Policy   |   Contact Us |   Sitemap

         ©2019 BOXER WACHLER VISION INSTITUTE OF BEVERLY HILLS. 465 N. Roxbury Drive, Suite 902, Beverly Hills, CA 90210.                          Call: 310.594.5210  Or   Text: 424.245.0171  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. email: info@boxerwachler.com.

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