Keratoconus is a fairly uncommon eye condition that affects around 1 in 2000 people in the United States. It can affect anyone at any age, but most often develops during puberty and progresses until a patient is in their mid-30s. It’s caused by the progressive thinning of the cornea, which begins to bulge outwards in a cone-like shape. Not only does this affect the way that the eyes refract light, meaning that patients are unable to see clearly without prescription lenses, but it also affects the way in which contact lenses fit. This can limit the options that patients have for treatment.

Keratoconus is a progressive condition, so it’s important to try and get it under control as quickly as possible. Fortunately, there are a few different treatment options available.

Contact Lenses for Keratoconus

If you’ve been diagnosed with keratoconus, the first treatment you will likely be offered is contact lenses. However, these won’t be the conventional contact lenses that you are probably familiar with. Patients with keratoconus require specialist contact lenses that will fit their eyes properly, be comfortable and provide them with clear, accurate, and stable vision.

There are several different types of specialty contact lenses that can be recommended to treat keratoconus. These include:

Rigid, Gas-Permeable (RGP) Lenses

These lenses are made from a special material that is firmer and more rigid than conventional contact lenses. They are bespoke, made custom to perfectly fit your eyes, and offer greater stability than ordinary lenses. They also enable oxygen to pass through them and keep the surface of your eyes healthy. RGP lenses can feel a little uncomfortable at first, but most people manage to get used to them within a few weeks.

Hybrid Lenses

Hybrid lenses have a rigid center, just like RGP lenses. However, they have a softer ‘skirt’ around the outside, which helps make them more comfortable and tolerable for people who can’t get on with full RGP lenses.

Scleral Lenses

Scleral lenses are a very unique type of specialty contact lens. They come in a variety of sizes, all of which are significantly larger than regular contact lenses. This enables them to sit on the white part of the eye (the sclera) rather than the cornea. They are also the only contact lenses to have a vaulted design. This means that they don’t make contact with the whole surface of the cornea, but instead, there’s a gap between the back of the contact lens and the surface of the eye which provides space to accommodate the bulging cornea.

Corneal Collagen Cross-Linking

This innovative new technique is designed to target the cause of keratoconus – the weakening fibers that enable the cornea to bulge outwards. Corneal collagen cross-linking combines riboflavin eyedrops and UV light to strengthen the fibers that hold the cornea in place. It is painless and very effective in slowing, and even halting, the progression of keratoconus.

Surgery for Keratoconus

If you have severe keratoconus, extreme thinning of your cornea, and poor vision, you may be advised that surgery is the best way to preserve or restore your vision. This surgery is known as penetrating keratoplasty and is a full transplant of the cornea, where your natural cornea is removed and replaced with that of a donor. While keratoplasty is usually very successful, it does come with a high risk of complications.

If you are concerned about keratoconus and would like to talk to someone about this condition, or if you have questions about any of the treatments listed here, call Advanced Eyecare Center PC in Urbandale, Iowa at 515-303-4488 today.