How Is Keratoconus Treated?
There are two components of keratoconus that need to be addressed when considering treatment: blurry vision and progression.
1. Blurry Vision
Blurry vision results from the abnormal warpage of the cornea. Glasses and contact lenses are the mainstay and first-line treatments for blurry vision in mild keratoconus.
As keratoconus continues to advance, worsening irregular astigmatism may mean that glasses alone can no longer provide clear vision. Special contact lenses, such as rigid gas permeable or scleral lenses, may be necessary to provide useful vision.
If the shape of the cornea continues to bulge and warp to the point where even special contact lenses cannot provide good vision, surgery may be necessary. The goal of surgery is to reshape the cornea to the point where glasses or contact lenses may work again. Procedures may include intracorneal ring segments (CAIRS) and cornea transplantation.
2. Progression
Progression means that the cornea continues to weaken and bulge outward over time. Even if keratoconus is diagnosed at an early stage when vision is hardly affected, it may progress to the point where vision becomes negatively impacted.
Progression in keratoconus tends to occur at a younger age—for example, during the teens, 20s, or 30s—but keratoconus can still progress later in life.
Specialized Keratoconus Care at Connecticut Eye Specialists
Dr. Lorenzo Cervantes and his team at Connecticut Eye Specialists specialize in the care of patients diagnosed with keratoconus and corneal ectasia after refractive surgery.
We offer treatment options that include epithelium-on corneal collagen crosslinking using Epioxa, CAIRS with KeraNatural, and cornea transplantation.
By using a variety of treatment options, our goal is to restore useful, functional, and stable vision for patients with this sight-threatening disease.
