Keratoconus Treatment Specialist in Dubai
Keratoconus Treatment
The hallmarks of this condition are thinning of the cornea and surface abnormalities of the cornea. The cornea is the transparent outer layer covering the front of your eye. It has a middle layer, making up the bulk of it, that is made mostly of water and a type of protein called collagen. Collagen helps to maintain the cornea’s normal round shape and provides strength and flexibility. The roundness of a healthy cornea allows it to concentrate light so that you can see clearly. In Keratoconus, the thinned cornea forms an irregularly cone-shaped bulging that results in vision loss.
Generally, keratoconus begins at puberty and progresses until the mid-30s. It is impossible to predict whether or not the disease will progress or at what rate. In almost all cases of keratoconus, one eye is more severely affected than the other.
Keratoconus Diagnosis and Symptoms
- Halos and glare surrounding lights
- Having trouble seeing at night
- Headaches or irritated eyes along with pain in the eyes
- Elevated sensitivity to intense light
- Unexpected deterioration or blurring of eyesight
- Halos and glare surrounding lights
- Having trouble seeing at night
- Headaches or irritated eyes along with pain in the eyes
- Elevated sensitivity to intense light
- Unexpected deterioration or blurring of eyesight
How does one diagnose keratoconus?
To diagnose keratoconus, your eye care specialist may do the following tests in addition to a thorough medical history and eye exam:
- Topography of the cornea: This is the most precise method for tracking the development of early keratoconus. An image created by a computer is used to trace the cornea's curve.
- Slit-lamp examination: The outer and middle layers of the cornea can be examined to assist find any anomalies.
- Pachypetrometry: The thinnest parts of the cornea are measured with this test.
Keratoconus Treatment
The goal of keratoconus treatment varies depending on the disease’s stage and focuses on vision correction.
- Initial Phases: In the early phases of treatment for keratoconus, glasses are used to cure nearsightedness and astigmatism. Patients must wear contact lenses, typically hard contact lenses, as their keratoconus develops and progresses, making glasses unusable for clear vision.
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Stages in Between: Cross-linking corneal collagen is one treatment option for progressive keratoconus. During this one-time, in-office treatment, a vitamin B solution is applied to the eye and left to activate for no more than thirty minutes under UV light. Part of the cornea's strength and shape are recovered and preserved as a result of the solution's ability to create new collagen linkages.
Although the cornea cannot be fully restored to normal, the procedure can prevent vision loss and, in certain situations, even improve it. To make it easier for the riboflavin to enter the corneal tissue, the technique might need to remove the epithelium, the thin layer that covers the cornea. -
Advanced Stages: Corneal ring - Wearing a regular contact lens may become too unpleasant if you have severe keratoconus. Implantable, C-shaped plastic rings called intacs are used to flatten the cornea's surface in order to improve eyesight. Better contact lens fit may also be possible with them. The process takes fifteen minutes or so.
Corneal Replacement. A donor cornea is used in a corneal transplant to replace the patient's damaged cornea. Corneal transplants typically take an hour to complete and are done as outpatient procedures. Following a transplant, vision typically remains blurry for three to six months, and medication is required to prevent transplant rejection. After transplant surgery, glasses or a contact lens are nearly always required to provide the best possible vision.
Lifestyle Tips for Managing Keratoconus
- Refrain from Rubbing Your Eyes: Rubbing might exacerbate the ailment and hasten its course.
- Routine Eye Exams: To keep an eye on the problem, schedule routine examinations with your eye doctor
- Wear Corrective Lenses as Advised: Make sure you wear glasses or contact lenses in accordance with your doctor's advice.
- Wear Corrective Lenses as Advised: Make sure you wear glasses or contact lenses in accordance with your doctor's advice.
- Protect Your Eyes from UV Light: To lessen eye strain, put on sunglasses or other UV-blocking eyewear.
- Remain Hydrated: Maintaining adequate hydration helps support ocular comfort and health. People with keratoconus can enhance their quality of life and better manage their symptoms by using these suggestions.
Why Choose Centre For Sight for Keratoconus Treatment?
Experience
The clinic employs skilled ophthalmologists with a focus on treating keratoconus.
Advanced Technology
They treat and diagnose patients using state-of-the-art equipment, such as the newest models of intacs and corneal cross-linking techniques.
Comprehensive Care
They offer personalized treatment plans tailored to the individual’s needs.
Patient Support
Throughout the course of therapy, the Center offers comprehensive patient education and support.
How Does Keratoconus Affect Your Vision?
Which Circumstances Could Be Related to Keratoconus?
- Allergy Conditions: Conditions like eczema or hay fever can cause keratoconus to worsen by causing rubbing of the eyes.
- Family History: Keratoconus development may be genetically predisposed.
- Down syndrome: People who have Down syndrome are more susceptible to keratoconus.
What Are the Complications of Keratoconus?
- Severe Vision Loss: Advanced keratoconus can lead to severe vision loss that can require a patient to undergo a corneal transplant.
- Corneal Scarring: Constant rubbing or injury can cause scarring. This further impacts the vision.
- Infections: Wearing contact lenses for long periods increases the chances of developing eye infections.
Early monitoring and treatment can help in proper prevention or management of such complications of keratoconus.
- Severe Vision Loss: Advanced keratoconus can lead to severe vision loss that can require a patient to undergo a corneal transplant.
- Corneal Scarring: Constant rubbing or injury can cause scarring. This further impacts the vision.
- Infections: Wearing contact lenses for long periods increases the chances of developing eye infections.
Early monitoring and treatment can help in proper prevention or management of such complications of keratoconus.
FAQs
In its earlier stages, the main line of treatment typically includes glasses or soft contact lenses for the management of symptoms.
Yes, keratoconus can be treated with many types of options, which include glasses, contact lenses, and surgical modalities like corneal cross-linking.
The best treatments can be with specialized contact lenses, corneal cross-linking, or, in very drastic cases of major vision loss, a corneal transplantation.