Center for Keratoconus
What is Keratoconus?
What is Keratoconus?
Keratoconus is an inherited eye condition that affects the cornea, the clear window on the front that focuses light entering the eye. resulting in thinning and distortion of the normally round dome-shaped cornea with progressive thinning that causes a cone-like bulge to develop. Significant visual impairment is due to the corneal distortion and scattering of light that prevents proper focusing to form a clear image in the back of the eye. It is an inherited condition that is estimated to occur in 1 out of every 2,000 people and is often first diagnosed in young people at puberty or in their late teens. In its earliest stages, keratoconus causes slight blurring and distortion of vision and increased sensitivity to light. Keratoconus typically progresses for 10-20 years before it stabilizes, which is why it is important to make and confirm the diagnosis of Keratoconus as early in life as possible in order to stop the deterioration of vision that occurs with progression of the disease.
How is Keratoconus Treated?
Over the past few years, treatments have been developed to help stabilize it in its early stages so that no further surgical treatments will typically be necessary. Prior to this treatment availability, patients needed to wear rigid contact lenses up until a time if/when there is significant corneal scarring or enough distortion of the vision that a cornea transplant was the only option. Contact lenses are still commonly used to help improve the vision and there have been significant improvements in the designs and materials of these lenses as well. We will work with your referring doctor to achieve the best treatment option(s) for your eyes.
Collagen cross-linking (CXL): Your ophthalmologist uses a special UV light and eye drops to strengthen the cornea. Doing this helps to flatten or stiffen your cornea, keeping it from bulging further.
Specialty hard contact lenses: Your ophthalmologist may recommend specially fit contact lenses, which serve to act as an artificial surface to bend light. By doing so, you can see better than what glasses or soft contact lenses would allow you to see.
Corneal transplant: When symptoms are severe, your ophthalmologist may suggest a corneal transplant. Your ophthalmologist replaces all or part of your diseased cornea with healthy donor cornea tissue.
Further Reading at the American Academy of Ophthalmology
How can I improve my vision with Keratoconus?
For patients who are having trouble achieving the type of vision that they need, the surgeons and optometrists in our practice have extensive experience in helping Keratoconus patients achieve better and more dependable vision. We can work with you and your eye doctor to improve your contact lens type and fit. Many keratoconus patients today are finding that scleral contact lenses provide better and more comfortable correction. Our optometrists, Dr. Evan Kaplan and Dr. Jennifer Marques are leaders in the field in fitting scleral and other types of Keratoconus contact lenses, and have been teaching at the SUNY College of Optometry for many year. For those patients who need more advanced surgical correction, our surgeons Drs. Speaker, Abramson, and Hu have extensive experience in laser corneal reshaping with topography-guided techniques, as well as INTACS and corneal transplantation techniques that can result in rapid recovery. We are corneal specialists affiliated with the National Keratoconus Foundation. We have been teaching other surgeons these advanced techniques for over 30 years.
Center for Keratoconus
Our mission at the Center for Keratoconus is to provide patients with state-of-the-art keratoconus care from recognized and experienced experts using the latest technology and proven techniques, in a convenient and comfortable Midtown Manhattan setting near Grand Central Terminal and Penn Station. Enabled by a wide range of advanced diagnostic technologies, our specialists will work with you and your eye doctor to arrive at a correct diagnosis as well as a treatment strategy that is aimed at preserving or restoring your eyesight so that you can continue to be productive. The options available for treatment have greatly expanded in recent years including collagen cross-linking, scleral contact lenses, topography-guided laser corneal reshaping, along with advances in corneal transplantation techniques. Our staff of doctors is comprised of leaders in the field of keratoconus treatment, research, and education.
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