Keratoconus

Keratoconus is a congenital corneal disease characterised by the gradual thinning and conical shape of the cornea. The cause is the weakening of the corneal tissue. Symptoms of keratoconus are problems with driving, reading, double or shaded vision.

The disease can be associated with all allergies (atopic eczema), other ocular disorders such as Down’s or Turner’s syndrome, as well as rubbing the eyes in children. It occurs during adolescence, the first symptoms include an increase in myopia and astigmatism. The earlier the disease occurs, the higher the likelihood of progression and the need to start treatment. Usually both eyes are affected by keratoconus, but at different rates and the disease typically only progresses by the 40th year of life.

HOW TO GET RID OF KERATOCONUS?
The exact cause of the disease is unknown, keratoconus treatment can only alleviate or stabilise it. Depending on the stage of the disease, the following treatments are available:

Stage 1-2
Glasses/lenses offer a temporary solution to the problem and are not as effective as other forms of treatment.

CXL – corneal cross-linking is a new, minimally invasive form of treatment for keratoconus. It is based on strengthening collagen bonds in the corneal tissue and can be combined with other treatments for best results.

Phase 3-4
Plastic corneal implants – they have the ability to more accurately correct pathological corneal convexity

Corneal transplantation is often the only viable way to restore vision in advanced stages. It is possible to replace part of the thickness of the cornea or the entire thickness of the cornea.

FOR WHOM THE SURGERY IS SUITABLE
Surgery is the right choice for all people in whom the disease is fully manifested and treatment with contact lenses does not work. The doctor determines the type of surgery according to the stage of the disease after a careful preoperative examination.