Tag: Keratoconus symptoms

Coping With a Diagnosis of Keratoconus and Finding Treatment

Do you have a family member who is currently or has suffered with Keratoconus? Have you seen the progression of this condition and traditional treatment options for it? If you have said yes to these questions you probably have your own ideas on how its treatment will go. But did you know that treatment options for Keratoconus have changed considerably within the last decade? Did you know that Corneal Transplants, one of the most common treatments for the condition are rarely used anymore? Now treatments like glasses, contact lenses, INACS (cornea inserts), the Holcomb C3-R ® (cornea collage crosslinking) and many other options are available.

Today’s Treatment Options

Over the past decade many new treatments have been developed for Keratoconus patients. These new treatments have improved outcomes, help slow the progression, and in some cases reverse some of the damage of the condition.

The use of eye glasses: The use of eye glasses has been a treatment option for those with Keratoconus and many other condition for years. This treatment is generally used in the very early stages of Keratoconus. Other options are sought once the condition progresses.

Gas Permeable Lenses:

Another traditional treatment for Keratoconus is GP or Gas Permeable lenses. These are often hard contact lenses that require little maintenance. At this stage soft contacts can often be used as well in the treatment of Keratoconus. This type of contact lens is used when other treatments are no longer working. They can provide you with better quality of vision in your treatment plan. Talk it over with your eye care professional to find out what stage you are at in your treatment. Some brands of soft contact lenses that are particularly good for Keratoconus patients are KeraSoft Lenses, and NovaKone. In addition to the soft contact lenses, hard or Hybrid lenses like ClearKone ®, or Rose K are also used to improve the clarity of the patients’ visual experience.

The Holcomb C3-R ® or Corneal Cross-linking With Riboflavin: This is a relatively new treatment often used to improve the vision of those suffering with Keratoconus by using a more natural approach. The eyes are exposed to UV lights and a Vitamin rich solution called Riboflavin that heals, and strengthens the eyes from inside. The vitamins strengthen the fibers within the cornea over time and improve the overall vision of the patient. This treatment can also potentially reverse some of the damage done to the cornea over time. It is both effective and requires little recovery time.

To learn more about new treatments for Keratoconus you can visit www.allaboutvision.com/conditions/keratoconus.htm

For more information about keratoconus visit the American Keratoconus Association

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Can Focus Exercises as Treatment Options Improve Your Keratoconus?

When you have Keratoconus strengthening the eyes is an important step in maximizing visual function. Focus exercising can aid in improving the quality of vision. Many doctors agree that training your eyes is an important step in treating the condition, and according to the American Optometric Association you can benefit greatly from exercising your eyes when diagnosed with Keratoconus.

So can focus exercises improve your vision when you have Keratoconus? Yes. Many have found it can strengthen your eyes improving your quality of vision.

Focus Exercising:

For aid in strengthening the eyes and improving eye control the use of swaying can help. This is a simple exercise that can be done in minutes daily and added to your regular routine. It will help you not only gain current control of the muscles of the eyes but help with future control.

Swaying

Keep your feet shoulder width apart

Choose an object in the distance

Sway from side to side focusing on the object as you pass by

Focus Activities to Help Gain Eye Control:

Recently the American Optometric Association said that Racket and Team sports is a form of focus exercise and participating in these types of sports help strengthen your eyes and improve overall visual acuity.

Most people feel that sports are the last thing they should do if they are having vision problems. However for those with Keratoconus the use of Racket & Team sports can help you with eye tracking, reaction time, depth perception, visual memory, and even peripheral vision skills. These sports can not only work on control of your eye muscles, but they can help strengthen them as well.

For more information on how focus exercise can help your Keratoconus visit: www.aoa.org

For more information about keratoconus visit the American Keratoconus Association

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How a Family History Affects Your KC

If you have had Keratoconus in your family your probably wondering if it will affect you. As with any condition the family history will increase your risk of getting the
condition, however it is not a guarantee. Nor is it a guarantee that you will have the same progression or experience as those in your family as it affects each patient differently.

In the past treatments have not been as effective and sometimes caused the patient to have long recovery periods and experience pain. However with the new treatments that have been developed over the last decade have made treatments for Keratoconus less painful and provides a quicker recovery time.

In traditional treatments glasses and contact lenses like RGP (Rigid Gas Permeable lenses) were used before the eventual corneal transplant. With today’s technology we are now rarely using the corneal transplants and treatments are more effective than ever before. In some cases the treatments have been effective in slowing the progression, in addition to stopping and/or reversing the progression of Keratoconus. The overall outlook of the 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.

Having a family history of Keratoconus doesn’t guarantee you will get it but should warn you to be more careful when it comes to your vision care. Getting regular visits to your eye care professional and being aware of the signs of Keratoconus will help you catch it early if you do develop the condition. Also avoiding the urge to rub your eyes, and getting annual exams are important tips to healthy eye care.

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

For more information on risk factors of Keratoconus visit www.AMKCA.org

For more information about keratoconus visit the American Keratoconus Association

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Why Should You Use Contact Lenses for KC?

For those of us who suffer daily with Keratoconus we understand the value of having various treatment options. There are several treatment options for those with
Keratoconus and finding the one that most beneficial for us should be our top priority. Since Keratoconus is a progressive condition the earlier you treat it the more effective the treatments will be.

However some of us are not happy with an option involving surgery and for those with mild or moderate Keratoconus contact lenses can be a healthy option for several years. Additional treatment options involve glasses and surgery for those who suffer with more advanced stages of Keratoconus. Many can benefit from the treatment of contact lenses whether they are RGP or soft lenses. Below you will find some reasons why you should try contact lenses for the treatment of Keratoconus.

Below are some of the Benefits of Using Contact Lenses for the Treatment of Keratoconus:

Time Management-

Contact lenses will allow the patient to continue their daily day to day activities. Contacts give them the mobility they are looking for
in their routine and allow them to have less maintenance.

Upgrade: High Definition-

Think of the RGP lenses as an upgrade to your vision. The RGP lenses will allow you to view your surroundings in high definition and are
easily maintained. If you are looking for a reliable and stable way to manage your visual experience the use of RGP lenses for your
Keratoconus treatment is a great one.

Multiple stage use:

The SynergEye ® Hybrid and Rose K Contact Lenses can be used to treat Keratoconus in many stages of the condition. This can provide
some stability in the life of the patient, and offer great treatment with little changes to the eye. For those who want less doctor visits
and less treatments for their Keratoconus this maybe a great choice for you.

To Learn more about Keratoconus treatment options visit: www.contactlenes.org/

For more information about keratoconus visit the American Keratoconus Association

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Understanding How to Manage Keratoconus & Altitude

What is Keratoconus?

For those of you who don’t know Keratoconus is a progressive condition created by the change in the shape of the cornea over time. As the cornea continues to change to a cone shape, the images your eyes see become more distorted. Over time it can cause a severe loss of vision. Keratoconus can be passed through families, physical, and/or environmental factors as well.

Treatment Options for Keratoconus:

There are several treatment options for Keratoconus. Finding the right treatment option depends on the stage of your condition, the progression of your condition (sometimes it progresses faster in one eye than it does in other).

Keratoconus treatment options include:

Glasses or contacts in early stages to improve vision and correct the prescription

Non-invasive Holcomb C3-R (cornea crosslinking) treatment to stabilize eyes

INTACS to help reshape the cornea and improve cornea transplant

Cornea transplant when too advanced for other treatments

Keratoconus & Altitude:

For those who enjoy the outdoors we often get worried when we hear that our eyes are damaged. This brings up many questions like “How will this affect me when I am climbing?” or “Will I still be able to climb?”

Is Altitude Safe With Keratoconus?

Yes, as long as you take precautions. If you are at a severe stage of Keratoconus it is not wise to travel in high altitudes. At times vision can blur in high altitudes and when you already have reduced vision due to advanced Keratoconus, this is not an additional risk you want to take. But if your Keratoconus has been treated and is stable, you can travel in high altitudes with less risk and concern. Making sure you have the proper guide and they are aware of your condition or you have other with you that can assist should you need it. Additionally making sure that you pay attention to what your eyes are doing as it can tell you best how far to go.

Will it Affect Me While I Climb?

Often times those who have Keratoconus can experience dry eyes, and Altitude sickness in elevations above 16,000 ft. Dry eyes can be treated easy enough but while climbing it can affect your vision. Take along artificial tears. If you experience decline in vision or drying, try instilling a drop of artificial tears, this often will improve the situation. Making sure that you have treatments to stabilize your Keratoconus before going out may help you get back safely too by have security in stable vision.

Getting a diagnosis of Keratoconus can be scary, especially if you have had a family member with the condition. However there are many new treatment options that can improve your quality of vision, slow, or even in some cases stop the progression of the condition. Understand you can have a full and exciting life with Keratoconus.

For more information about keratoconus visit the American Keratoconus Association

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Do You Have Family Members With Keratoconus?

Keratoconus is a progressive condition and can be a debilitating if left untreated. Watching your family members go through it can make you feel helpless and useless in some experiences. You probably have many questions on the condition after watching your family members go through their treatments. In past years their were limited treatments for Keratoconus and eventual cornea transplants were needed for the patient to keep their quality of vision. This type of treatment had a long recovery period and often caused the patient pain.

Today’s treatments have improved a lot since then and quite honestly there is little to no pain with many of them. Patients have much shorter recovery times, and have a much better quality of vision without replacing their corneas. Still many people have questions when they find out a family member is going through a condition like Keratoconus. The condition can often cause a reduced activity level and sometimes have complications in their normal lives. A few questions maybe “Will I get Keratoconus?” or “Will they go blind?”.

While these are all reasonable questions, and having a family member with Keratoconus is one of the highest risk factors of Keratoconus it doesn’t guarantee that you will get it. It only tells you to watch yourself and your eye health a little more. Getting annual eye exams can help with early detection. Taking care of your eyes can help lessen your chances of developing these conditions later on down the road.

Below are some tips to reduce your chances of developing Keratoconus:

Avoid rubbing your eyes

Get annual eye exams

See an eye care professional that specializes in Keratoconus

Protect your eyes regularly

Reduce stress in your life

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

There are probably many more questions you want to ask. Finding an eye care professional that specializes in Keratoconus is always best. Looking for one that deals with Keratoconus patients daily would be best.

For more information about keratoconus visit the American Keratoconus Association

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Tough Questions to Ask Your Doctor About Keratoconus

There are many questions that run through our heads before we go to the doctors. It is no different when we go to the eye care professional about our Keratoconus. Being prepared for the doctor is very important. Many of us gather our medications, write lists of symptoms, and even write up a list of what want to talk about. And for those of us who have been to the doctor more frequently, we write a summary of our medical history so we don’t have to repeat ourselves again. But is all that really what we need?

Typically we walk away with additional questions on our minds, ones we forgot to ask, ones that we couldn’t get in, and even ones that came up during our visit. So why do we go in with questions and still come out with even more questions? How do we ask the tough questions?

Understanding the Tough Questions:

Many times the tough questions are simply the questions we are not sure whether to ask. We often don’t want to look “Dumb” or “Stupid” by asking them. But the truth is no question you have is “Dumb” or “Stupid” and the only way you will know the answer is to ask the question.

This is why it is so important to have a comfortable feeling in the doctors office. Making sure you are being treated with respect and courtesy from the moment you step in is imperative to how you will respond during your visit.

Below Are a Few Questions we are often afraid to ask our doctors about Keratoconus:

  • Can Keratoconus Affect a person’s Balance?

  • Do most people have the condition in both eyes?

  • How do I know if my Keratoconus is getting worse?

  • Do people with Keratoconus feel more tired?

  • Is it normal for KC to have pain when I blink?

  • How frequent is the pain?

  • Will I have eye pain with Keratoconus?

  • What are the symptoms of Keratoconus?

  • What stage is my Keratoconus in?

While these are just a few questions you might have after getting a diagnosis of Keratoconus, you can understand that no question is too small when you are dealing with your own eyes. Remembering to ask all that is on your mind while in the doctors office is important. You shouldn’t feel that you can not ask “Any” question. Be sure to do your research and find a eye care professional you are comfortable with. This will help you in communication with your eye care provider.

For more information on Keratoconus visit: www.nkcf.org

For more information about keratoconus visit the American Keratoconus Association

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Exploring Exercise and Keratoconus

There are many reasons we have to exercise including weight loss, physical therapy, even just staying healthy. But according to the American Optometric Association another reason to exercise is Keratoconus. Many doctors believe that exercising and training the eyes can slow the process of Keratoconus and strengthen the eyes.

Below are a few exercises you can do to help your eyes:

Focusing your eyes:

Swaying is an exercise that helps you regain control over the muscles of your eyes. In Keratoconus we struggle with symptoms like double vision, and loss of eye control. Swaying teaches you how to control where your eyes go, and strengthens your muscles around your eyes.

Swaying-

-Keep your feet shoulder width apart

-choose an object in the distance

-Sway from side to side focusing on the object as you pass by

Strengthening Your Eyes:

Recently the American Optometric Association said that Racket and Team sports help your strengthen your eyes by improving your overall visual acuity. Team sports and Racket sports work on

  • Eye Tracking

  • Visual Memory

  • Reaction Time

  • Depth Perception

  • Peripheral Vision Skills

Overall exercise has many uses. Improving some of your vision and delaying the process of Keratoconus can be done with a few simple exercises over the course of time. Improving your vision and strengthening your eyes can also improve your vision for your ladder years by improving visual memory, depth perception, and peripheral vision skills.

So the next time your in the eye doctors office be sure to ask them what you can do to improve your quality of vision at home or in the field. And the next time you think about your exercise routine find a way to add your eye exercises in and improve your vision quality for now and in your near future.

For more information on Keratoconus and exercise visit: www.aoa.org

For more information about keratoconus visit the American Keratoconus Association

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Keratoconus Daily: Signs & Symptoms of Keratoconus

Keratoconus is a progressive condition of the eye. As the disease progresses it changes the shape of the cornea causing the image projected to be distorted. This causes the overall vision to be damaged. As it continues the patients sight continues to grow worse. However over the last decade many treatments have been designed to help slow, or even stop the progression of this disease. The symptoms of Keratoconus in its early stages are somewhat similar to those of other defects of the eye. However, with time, the situation worsens and the vision becomes more blurred.

Some of the symptoms of Keratoconus include:

 Slightly blurred vision

Frequent eye rubbing

Frequent Change in Prescription

Increased watering of the eyes

Poor night vision

Seeing Halos

Seeing Double

Eye Pain

Light Sensitivity

Someone with Keratoconus usually squints just to read something and they tend to feel itchiness on the eye. This however does not come with any form of pain. One of the most common symptoms Keratoconus is monocular polyopia where one seems to see two visions instead of the actual one.

Watch how treatments improve a young girl’s life: http://youtube.com/watch?v=KZFC8NOp_hI

For more information about keratoconus visit the American Keratoconus Association

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Duel Disease Management: Dealing With Diabetes & Keratoconus

Almost 1 in 3 Americans are believed to have Diabetes or are related to someone with Diabetes. These numbers intend to increase over the next decade. But when you add a condition like Keratoconus to Diabetes the risk of severe loss of sight is much greater. Having one condition can cause damage but having both needs to be monitored frequently.

In addition to being monitored, which doctor you choose to take care of your eyes is another important part of your treatment. Making sure the doctor specializes in Keratoconus and knows all the available treatment options out to make your treatment most effective.

When having more than one chronic condition it is important to have proper treatment management. Checking with your doctor regularly about what treatment options are best, and what tests need to be done is important. Visiting your eye doctor every 6 months can help prevent further damage and catch things early.

Below are some signs & Symptoms of Diabetes & Keratoconus:

Symptoms of Diabetes

Increased Thirst

Frequent Urination

Increased irritability

Frequent Infections

Blurred Vision

Tingling & Numbness in Feet & hands

Unusual Weight Loss

Symptoms of Keratoconus:

Blurred Vision

Frequent Prescription Changes

Frequent Headaches

Seeing Halos & Glares

Increase problems with Night Vision

 For more information about diabetes visit the American Diabetes Association.

For more information about keratoconus visit the American Keratoconus Association

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