We have been able to significantly improve vision in Keratoconus patients and having a complete eye examination by our laser eye doctor experts can diagnose the condition early, making it easier to treat and correct.
Keratoconus is an eye condition in which the shape of the cornea becomes distorted. The cornea is a clear structure that covers the front of the eye and does 85% of the focusing of the light as it passes through the eye. In a healthy eye, the cornea curves like a dome. In an eye with keratoconus, the center of the cornea thins and bulges so that it sags and has a cone shape distorting vision. Keratoconus tends to affect people in their teens or early twenties and may progress for 10-20 years, and then slow or stabilize.
Slight Blurring and Distortion of Vision
Rapidly Changing Glasses/Contacts Prescriptions
Increased Sensitivity to Light
Difficulty driving at night
Halo’s and ghosting, especially at night
Eye strain
Headaches and general eye pain
Eye irritation and excessive rubbing of the eye
Often, eyeglasses can’t correct vision fully and specially designed medical contact lenses or surgery are needed to restore useful vision. A complete eye examination by qualified experts can diagnose the condition in its earliest stages when it is easiest to treat and correct.
It was discovered about 15 years ago that corneas afflicted with Keratoconus because of the inherent weakness in the collagen fibrils could be strengthened through a procedure referred to as Cross Linking. In the procedure, the cornea is infiltrated with Riboflavin, and then a focused beam of Ultra-Violet light bathes the cornea and through this process, a reaction is set up whereby linkages form between the weak collagen fibrils. The information is now very clear that this procedure stops the progression of Keratoconus.
It has recently (2017) been approved by the FDA in the US through one system made by Avedro. Walman Eye Center is proud to have the Avedro system, the ONLY FDA approved system. We believe strongly that treatment is important, as early as possible, in order to stop the progression of this visually disabling disease.
Much like in the construction industry where rebar is placed where concrete is poured in order to strengthen the material, we can insert micro–rings into the cornea to strengthen the cornea and improve vision in individuals with Keratoconus. This procedure has been approved by the FDA several years ago. Dr. Walman has performed the procedure for about 8 years, and recently, Walman Eye Center has acquired the Swiss made Zeimer laser that is utilized to fashion the tunnels in the corneas that the rings are inserted into.
Utilizing the above 2 technologies for Keratoconus, we have been able to significantly improve vision in Keratoconus patients, and when treated early enough, we can say with reasonable confidence that the extreme treatment of corneal transplantation is significantly less likely.
Make an appointment today to speak with one of our experts and you are sure to get the best care.
LEARN MORE ABOUT KERATOCONUS. If you have questions about our keratoconus treatment options and would like to schedule a consultation in Phoenix with Dr. Walman, please contact us today.
