Keratoconus-02

Keratoconus

Overview

Keratoconus is a progressive eye condition in which the normally round cornea (the clear, dome-shaped surface that covers the front of the eye) becomes thin and cone-shaped. This causes distorted and blurry vision, and can lead to significant visual impairment if left untreated.

Symptoms

Some common keratoconus symptoms include

  • Blurred or distorted vision: This is often the first symptom of keratoconus and is caused by the irregular shape of the cornea.
  • Frequent changes in eyeglass or contact lens prescriptions: As the condition progresses, the prescription needed to correct vision may need to be updated frequently.
  • Light sensitivity: Some people with keratoconus may experience increased sensitivity to bright light.
  • Glare: The irregular shape of the cornea can cause light to scatter, leading to glare or halos around lights.

Treatment

Keratoconus is typically diagnosed with a comprehensive eye exam, including a detailed eye history, visual acuity test, and corneal topography (a mapping of the shape of the cornea).

Treatment for keratoconus depends on the severity of the condition. In the early stages, glasses or soft contact lenses may be used to correct vision. As the condition progresses, rigid gas permeable (RGP) contact lenses may be used to provide sharper vision by replacing the irregular corneal surface with a smooth surface.

In some cases, surgery may be necessary to treat keratoconus. Some common keratoconus surgeries include:

  • Corneal collagen crosslinking (CXL): This minimally-invasive procedure uses UV light and riboflavin drops to strengthen the cornea and slow the progression of the disease.
  • Corneal transplant: This is a more invasive procedure that involves replacing the damaged cornea with a donor cornea.

Recovery

After keratoconus surgery, patients may experience some discomfort, blurry vision, and sensitivity to light.

It may take several weeks or months for the eye to fully heal, and patients will need to attend follow-up appointments with their ophthalmologist to monitor their condition.

If you are experiencing any symptoms related to your vision, please contact us to make an appointment with one of the sub-specialised keratoconus specialists to discuss the best treatment options for you.

Ophthalmologists who specialise in Keratoconus

Prof Mark Daniell

MBBS, MS, FRACS, FRANZCO

Ophthalmologist
Cataracts, Corneal, Keratoconus, Medical Retina, Uveitis, General, Aviation

Dr Chris Buckley

MBBS, FRCS, FRACS, FRANZCO

Ophthalmologist
General, Corneal, Keratoconus, Uveitis, Glaucoma

Melbourne Cup Clinic Closure

The clinic will be closed from Monday 6th November 2023 and will re-open on Wednesday 8th November 2023.

Happy Holidays

The clinic will be closed from Friday 22nd December 2023 and will re-open on Monday 8th January 2024.

From the team at East Melbourne Eye Group, we wish all of our patients & referrers a happy & safe festive period.

The Christmas holiday period can be a very busy time, please take a moment to ensure you have enough scripts to cover you over the holiday period and your referrals are up to date.