Posted by: LaserVue LASIK & Cataract Center in Uncategorized
Keratoconus can be a debilitating disease that, in addition to poor vision, can sometimes leads to corneal transpants. In the past, patients with keratoconus would wear contact lenses or glasses until the vision worsened to the point that vision could not be restored even when corrected with glasses or contact lenses.
Recent studies show that keratoconus can be treated prior to this stage with a medical treatment known as Corneal Cross-Linking, often labeled CXL. This treatment uses riboflavin and UV light to strengthen the cornea to prevent the need for corneal transplant.
It is important to be seen early however. Patients with keratoconus often wait until their condition worsens before seeking help from a medical doctor. Contact lenses can speed the process of worsening by rubbing on the surface and preventing adequate oxygen and nutrients. If you have been diagnosed with keratoconus seek help from a medical doctor trained to treat keratoconus.
Symptoms of keratoconus can include blurred vision with contact lenses or glasses but early stages of keratoconus are often undetectable and can be unnoticed without an examination by a trained specialist. Keratoconus is generally considered to be a strong contraindication against having LASIK so a LASIK screening should always rule out the possibility of keratoconus.
