Vision Care » Keratoconus

Keratoconus – A Few Tips

admin — Tue, 05 May 2009 02:43:16 +0000

Understanding that Keratoconus is a progressive disease and causes stress on the patients should be important to your health care provider. The use of our vision is something we often take for granted until something like this happens. Although we learn the signs, symptoms, and treatment for Keratoconus the medical side of the disease is not the only area we need to manage.

As human beings we are emotional. Our feelings and emotions can play a big part in how the disease progresses and how we take care of our disease. Learning to cope with Keratoconus and not let it break us down in our daily life is equally important. We need to know how this can effect us at home and where to look for help.

Below are a few tips to help keep you focused and cope:

Tip 1: Remember we are not alone- There are several places that provide support Online and off to Keratoconus patients. The National Keratoconus Foundation provides lots of support and information on this disease. Also the Global Keratoconus Foundation provides support groups and activities to help Keratoconus patients. Turning to family and friends to support you and talk to you also helps relief the stress of this progressive disease.

Tip 2: Enjoy yourself- Spend some time pampering yourself. Doing the things you enjoy doing. If you aren’t as able to do the things you have always done…remember you can always try some new ones. Finding activities to occupy your time will help you focus on the happy times and deal with your situation with a clear mind….remember you must not dwell on what can’t be changed.

Tip 3: Participate in your treatment- One thing we take for granted is that we can be our own advocate. You can learn more about your options, ask questions, and decide who your doctor is going to be. The important thing is to make sure you are comfortable with them. That they have your best intentions at heart.

Know that you are not alone. That there is help for you and others going through the same things you are. Reach out for them…share your experiences you maybe able to ease someone else’s pain while you are at it. Keratoconus is progressive but there is help and remember to take it one day at a time!

Mapping Your Eyes Topography and Keratoconus

admin — Tue, 05 May 2009 02:41:40 +0000

One of the best ways to evaluate the cornea is through the use of Corneal Topography. There are various signs in the mapping that show the doctors signs of keratoconus and other progressive eye conditions. The topography can show irregular and steepening of the shape of the cornea. The normal cornea also has a 90 degree axes perpendicular in the cornea. In the normal cornea during corneal topographies there is a smooth and flat surface.

If the topography shows irregularities or steepening this is a sign that there are problems. Any irregularities in the cornea such as steepening and/or irregular shaping of the axes show signs of irregular astigmatisms. Raising questions in for Keratoconus. When doctors check for Keratoconus in the Lasik evaluation they look for ” Inferior Steepening.” Corneal Astigmatism appears in the shape of a football compared to a normal cornea that is round and smooth.

Additionally Keratoconus is confused with Pellucid Marginal Degeneration or PMD. PMD was first discovered by an Ophthalmologist in 1957 named Dr. Schalaeppi. Pellucid Marginal Degeneration is a break down of the cornea creating a lobster claw pattern. PMD is also known as the peripheral form of keratoconus. While the disease is in the same family and similar there are some differentiating factors. When viewing in a corneal topography the PMD appears as a steepening from the outer margin of the cornea heading inwards and appearing to pinch the center.

Signs of Pellucid Marginal Degeneration:

No pain reported [compared to keratoconus]
Visual distortions
No vascularization of cornea
No scarring
Lobster Claw formation

In the end the best form of testing for Keratoconus is to have a baseline corneal topography, and regular testing annually. The treatments of keratoconus are advancing and progression of this disease can be treated successfully. Catching the condition early can give you a better result. Checking with your ophthalmologist and getting regular checkups is a must.

5 Revolutionary Contact Lens Designs For Keratoconus

admin — Tue, 05 May 2009 02:40:42 +0000

If you have keratoconus, you can skip the next paragraph and move right down to the lens styles available that can improve your life. Because if you have any form of keratoconus you already know how it affects your vision and life. You know that eyeglasses do not work; you know that your corneas are constantly dry and sensitive, and you know that without contact lenses, you would not be able to see.

For those of you that do not have or know what it is; Keratoconus is a degenerative disease of the cornea that leaves the front of the eye cone-like in shape. As far as vision is concerned, eyeglasses do not work. Contact lenses are the best and, in many cases, the only option for functional eyesight.

The challenge usually lies within balancing comfort, vision, and ocular health. Fitting a keratoconic cornea with contact lenses requires skill, experience, and patience. Recently the first ever global keratoconus symposium was held. Contact lens specialists from around the world gathered to discuss techniques, lenses, and study findings in regards to fitting keratoconus patients with lenses. Everybody left this meeting with a ton of new insight and ideas, yet the bottom line remains; There are no rules when it comes to fitting irregular corneas. It takes a qualified specialist and good toolbox of contact lens designs.

Five of the latest contact lens designs that may improve the health, vision, and comfort of any keratoconus patient:

Synergeyes KC – This lens is the latest breakthrough in hybrid technology. The center of the lens is a high oxygen permeable rigid material, while the outer skirt is a soft lens. The KC design merges the optics of a gas permeable lens with the comfort of a soft contact.
Rose K2 IC – Rose K has long been the most widely used keratoconus GP design. This new version is available in larger diameters for improved comfort. The IC refers to irregular cornea.
Wave Custom Contacts – Wave contact lenses are individually designed lenses based on topography readings. It takes a real computer geek/contact lens specialist to fit these, however the results can be phenomenal.
Semi Scleral Lenses – Large diameter gas permeable contact lenses that rest out on the white of the eye. What is surprising to many is that these lenses are incredibly comfortable. The reason soft lenses are comfortable is not because they are soft, it is because they are larger and move less. They are simply easier to fit because of the loose modulus. A large diameter GP lens can be an incredibly comfortable route to go.
Piggy Back Contact Lens System – Wearing two lenses on one eye is more pleasant than it may sound. With the available materials we have today in both soft and GP lenses, piggy back systems are incredibly healthy and comfortable. The soft lens actually protects the sensative cornea.

Keratoconus patients, if you are looking for an update, it is a great time to revisit your contact lens specialist. Keep in mind all the designs listed below will not work on every type of cone, but as you can see a qualified fitter will have enough lenses in their toolbox to handle just about any lens fitting.

And for those of you that do not have keratoconus, just imagine the lens designs we have for you.

Keratoconus Evaluation and Confirmation

admin — Tue, 05 May 2009 02:39:47 +0000

There are several things you can do if you feel you are suffering from Keratoconus. The professionals will help not only evaluate your physical status but also take a thorough examination of your medical history.

The Visit:

When visiting the Ophthalmologist or Optometrist they will gather important medical and vision history. It is important to tell them everything you can about your history as well as family history. They will pay attention to your vision complaints to understand better what you have been going through. They will also ask you several questions about your history to try and determine if you have had an eye injury.

The Ophthalmologist or Optometrist will also give you tests to check your visual acuity. This means reading letters from an eye chart much like a general eye evaluation. It can also include measuring the curvature of the corneas using a topographer. Having an irregular curvature could mean possible Keratoconus.

Keratoconus Diagnosis:

Once you get to this point of the evaluation the doctor may conduct several tests to confirm the diagnosis. Retinoscopy is one test the doctor can preform to confirm Keratoconus. This would involve focusing a light beam on the retina. The Reflex or (Reflection) is observed. If there is a scissor reflex, more tests will be needed to confirm Keratoconus.

One additional test that is often performed is a cornea ultrasound(Pachymetry). This will measure the cornea thickness. A thin cornea can be a sign of Keratoconus.

Another test examines your cornea with a slit lamp(Microscope). More advanced cases can be determined right away with this test, because of the yellow-brown or olive-green rings or a (Fleischer ring)

Fleischer Ring- Seen in 50% of patients with Keratoconus. Also caused by Iron Oxide Hemosiderin that is deposited in the Corneal Epithelium.

Vogt’s Striae- These are fine lines or (stress lines) caused by stretching and can be seen on the front of the cornea.

Munson’s Sign- is another give away of Keratoconus. This is a V-shaped indentation and sometimes seen in the lower eyelid when the sufferer moves their line of sight in the downward direction. Most signs are detected before this stage and is seldom used for diagnosing keratoconus.

It is important to get a definitive diagnosis for keratoconus. Many times it requires several tests to make an absolute confirmation. There are numerous other conditions that have similar symptoms of keratoconus. Make sure you are being seen by a specialist in diagnosis of keratoconus and ask questions if you do not understand your diagnosis. After all it is your health at stake.

Understanding Keratoconus Symptoms

admin — Tue, 05 May 2009 02:39:06 +0000

Generally when we think of Keratoconus what comes to mind? Well if you already a Keratoconus patient you may think of things like blurred vision, or nearsightedness, astigmatism, or even sensitivity to light. The truth is these are often generalized symptoms and are also associated with other conditions, making it hard to diagnose as Keratoconus. So what questions should you be asking your doctor and does your current doctor specialize in treating patients with Keratoconus?

First the symptoms of Keratoconus:

High Astigmatism
Increased Astigmatism
Blurred Vision
Distorted night vision
Sensitivity to light
Blurred Vision

Blurred Vision and sensitivity to light are also found in patients with diabetes. Patients with Diabetes also have trouble with cataracts and astigmatism. However in recent studies researchers have found that patients with diabetes are at less risk of getting Keratoconus. Why? It has been found that patients with Type 2 Diabetes often develop harder corneas, in turn causing the exact opposite of the effects of Keratoconus. However few Diabetics are checked for Keratoconus because the symptoms they are experiencing are also symptoms caused by the damage of the sugar to the eye.

Blurred Vision and Pain in the eyes can also be caused by dry eye. Doctors find that patients who do excessive reading or writing blink less causing the eye to dry out more. The effects of dry eye while the condition can be well treated and is not life threatening can cause some damage to the cornea, creating double vision, distorted images, and can cause a lot of comfort.

The most important thing is to be sure to rule out risk factors for Keratoconus, find the right doctor, and ask questions. Below is a guide to assist you:

Risk Factors:

Family History
Trauma or injury to eyes
Constant rubbing of the eye
Inherited Diseases: Down Syndrome, Some Renial diseases

Questions to Ask the Doctor:

If you have a family history of Keratoconus you might ask:

What area do you specialize in?
How much experience do you have diagnosing and treating patients with Keratoconus?
What tests and treatments do you have available?

If you notice symptoms of Keratoconus you might ask:

Can you explain the results of my tests?
If your sight is getting worse you might ask- Do you know why my vision is getting worse?
What can I do to help improve my vision or will It continue to get worse?

Make sure to log your symptoms and how long they last. If you have a family history of eye disease or you are not sure if you have a family history of eye disease make sure the doctor is aware of this. Above all don’t be afraid to ask questions no matter how small they seem. If the doctor doesn’t have time to answer your questions so you understand him- find one that will. Your Vision care should be your concern.

Describing Keratoconus

admin — Tue, 05 May 2009 02:38:01 +0000

Keratoconus is a non-inflammatory degenerative eye disease. Keratoconus causes damage to the collagen fibers in the cornea causing them to grow weak. When it reaches a weak enough point in the fiber it bulges up like that of a hernia. Keratoconus causes irregular astigmatism, steeping of the cornea, and vision loss in the cornea. This significantly affects the patient’s daily life. Giving them grief when driving, reading and often completing day to day activities.

Vision loss can be mild to severe in one or both eyes. Keratoconus is diagnosed in 54.5 people out of every 100,000 in the general population. However the concentration of diagnosed patients being evaluated for Lasik is much higher, because people with keratoconus often seek Lasik to correct their poor vision. Lasik surgery is not an efficient treatment for those with Keratoconus due to its underlying risks for complications and high incidences of causing a rapid progression of the condition necessitating more surgery even possibly the need for a cornea transplant.

Many vision correction surgeons use corneal topography to map the eyes before treatment. This gives them a better view of the corneas of each patient. They use the mapping of both eyes to compare the changes and differences. The patients must be mapped in both eyes because is useful to detect and stage keratoconus this way. Over 90% of patients with keratoconus are affected in both eyes and over 6% are affected in one eye only. Keratoconus often strikes patients in one eye first and spreads to the other. However by the time the patient is diagnosed often the Keratoconus have affected both eyes.

If patients are not properly diagnosed before Lasik they can develop Lasik-induced Keratoconus or Keratoectasia. There are many symptoms of Keratoconus and proper evaluation of eyes regularly is best to catch Keratoconus or other vision problems early. Below is a list of symptoms of keratoconus:

Glare and/or light sensitivity
Frequent prescription changes
progressive nearsightedness
irregular astigmatism
High amounts of Astigmatism
inferior steeping on corneal color mapping (topography)-red spots on mapping

It is wise to check with your eye doctor if you feel you have more serious case. Additionally finding someone who is familiar with early signs of Keratoconus is also wise as some doctors may not be familiar with them. Taking care of your eyes and vision is always a wise decision. Educating yourself can help you rule out issues in the future. Always consult your eye doctor if there are changes in your vision.

Keratoconus – What It Is And How To Treat It

admin — Tue, 05 May 2009 02:37:13 +0000

We all have problems dealing with loss of vision and when we hear big words like “Keratoconus” we definitely struggle with questions. Looking for a way to get rid of it. We often struggle with questions like “What happens now?” “How will this effect my life” “Will I go blind?”

While those are all understandable questions first it is important that you understand what “Keratoconus” is and how it is treated. Keratoconus is a non-inflammatory eye condition which is often progressive. Keratoconus is a thinning of the cornea which causes many disturbances in the eyes creating vision changes.

Keratoconus affects each patient differently. About 2 out of every 100,000 patients suffer from Keratoconus. Treatment of Keratoconus depends on the stage the condition is in as well as the patient. Also it can affect one or both eyes. Your Eye doctor will help determine your stage and help you go over your treatment process. Many times keratoconus can be treated with glasses and contacts.

Treatment Options for Keratoconus-

Keratoconus is treated many ways and just because you have been diagnosed doesn’t mean drastic measure need to be taken. Since it is progressive you should explore all options. This will keep you educated and you can ask any questions you have about them to your doctor.

RGP-

Rigid Gas Permeable lenses- or (RGP) are sometime used in the early to mild stages of keratoconus. Quite often with Keratoconus soft contact lenses are not enough. The doctor can prescribe some hard prescription lenses to help you with your vision. However as the disease progresses you will need to change them or look into more options.

C3-R-

This is a 30 minute procedure performed in the doctors office. The procedure involves applying a special solution to the eye that is activated by a light. This procedure stops the disease from progressing so you can remain comfortable in your contact lenses or glasses.

INTACS-

Intrastromal Corneal Ring Segments- Referred to as (INTACS) are used quite frequently. They are an insertable contact that require less maintenance then RGP’s. INTACS also allow you to change your prescription as changes occur. They don’t create a lot of discomfort. The INTACS are placed behind the nerve so you don’t feel them. More people today are turning to INTACS as an option for treatment when they are no longer comfortable RGP’s or they have decreased quality of vision in their RGPS-

Corneal Transplants-

Corneal transplants are used for people with severe vision loss due to scarring. As well as progressive peripheral thinning. These conditions do occur in patients with keratoconus but the doctor will discuss this option after all other options have been explored. As with all surgery there are risks of complications and rejection but modern medicine has improved. So it is much safer and done more routinely today.

The treatments for keratoconus will be explained by your doctor and all you questions will be addressed. Learn, listen and if you are uncomfortable ask questions!