Keratoconus treatment
El keratoconus is a degenerative pathology of the cornea that can produce astigmatism irregular, so it is very important to make an early diagnosis and correct it. Among the different options to treat keratoconus we will always opt for the one that provides us with the best risk-benefit.
Keratoconus treatment
El keratoconus is a degenerative pathology of the cornea that can produce astigmatism irregular, so it is very important to make an early diagnosis and correct it. Among the different options to treat keratoconus we will always opt for the one that provides us with the best risk-benefit.
What is keratoconus?
El keratoconus is a degenerative disease of the cornea that causes the progressive thinning of the corneal tissues, especially in its central and paracentral part.
Main keratoconus symptoms are that the structure of the cornea loses refractive and optical capacity, and that its structure weakens.
This pathology causes a irregular astigmatism very complicated to correct with lenses, and produces other important visual disorders.
Causes of keratoconus
Currently, it is still not known exactly what the causes of keratoconus.
However, there are many factors that seem to influence its appearance:
- The genetic, since there are many patients with relatives who suffer from keratoconus.
- Excessive exposure to ultraviolet rays of the sun.
- Minor trauma that persist in the eye.
- Wear contact lenses that have not been adapted correctly.
- Prolonged eye scratching (common in allergy sufferers).
- Chronic eye irritation.
- Hormonal factors and pathologies that lead to the alteration of systemic collagen.
- Keratoconus is also associated with síndrome de Down and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.
Types of keratoconus treatment for its cure
The treatment It will depend on the degree of evolution. in which the pathology is found. Among the treatments for keratoconus, the most common approaches are:
Glasses or contact lenses
It is recommended when keratoconus is incipient and does not imply a loss of quality of life for the patient.
Semi-rigid lenses
This is the most common option when keratoconus leads to significant vision loss.
these lenses flatten the cornea and cause it to return to its original position To some extent.
ICL lens implant
They consist of fixed intraocular lenses, indicated for patients with keratoconus who have defects of astigmatism and myopia moderate or severe.
La ICL lens surgery It is performed through a simple surgical procedure and represents a significant improvement in the quality of vision.
Toric intraocular lenses
In this case the clear or opaque lens is replaced by a toric intraocular lens. This toricity serves to correct astigmatism.
These lenses can be multifocal, which means that they correct astigmatism, with the far and near visual defects that it entails.
They are indicated in patients older than 45 years with astigmatism associated with Cataracts.
Corneal crosslinking
It is a procedure through which corneal tissue is strengthened to stop the bulging on the surface of the eye affected by keratoconus.
It can be performed with or without epithelial extraction.
lasik xtra
It is practiced a lasik guided by topography, associated with a crosslinking accelerated, lasting a minute and a half.
It is an indicated option when the cornea is misshapen but has adequate thickness.
Corneal segments: Intacs
This surgical intervention consists of placing plastic corneal segments inside the cornea that make it change shape. Formerly this surgery was performed manually but thanks to new lasers such as the femtosecond In our center we can perform this surgical technique in a safer way.
It is a recommended option when the patient with keratoconus does not have functional vision with contact lenses.
Intacs do not stop the progression of keratoconus, but they do delay the need for a corneal transplant.
Conductive Keratoplasty (CK)
It is a procedure that smooths irregularities on the surface of the cornea. Is done applying radio waves with a probe at different points of the corneal periphery.
This serves to create a topographic map of the ocular surface with which a personalized treatment is designed.
corneal crosslinking
La crosslinking surgery is indicated in the initial phases of keratoconus, or to complement treatment with intrastromal rings.
It consists of radiating type A ultraviolet rays on the cornea, and is associated with the application of riboflavin topically.
It is a procedure that is done in ten minutes, and that makes the cornea more rigid, giving it strength and hardness.
Intrastromal or intracorneal rings
It is a operation performed to stop the progression of keratoconus, and it is reversible. Its goal is to regulate the curvature of the cornea and reduce irregular astigmatism.
It is done through arch-shaped pieces of rigid and transparent plastic, which are inserted inside the cornea to flatten it in the center.
It is indicated when patients do not tolerate contact lenses well, or do not achieve a good level of visual acuity with them.
Cornea transplant
El cornea transplant it is the last option, and it is performed when the deterioration of vision is irreversible and it is not possible to correct the keratoconus through other procedures.
Consists in replace the center of the cornea with a corneal button of a donor, suturing the receiving part to change the deformed part of the cornea for a new one without deformity.
Improves long-term vision, but recovery takes longer than other procedures. Today, thanks to modern surgical techniques for performing this intervention, every time it offers better results and more predictable, which is why corneal transplantation is becoming more and more of a option for the treatment of keratoconus in states not so late.
Laser photorefractive keratectomy + Crosslinking
It is two procedures in one, and is indicated for cases of mild to moderate or low grade keratoconus.
The first part consists of applying the laser to reshape the cornea, and immediately putting a riboflavin solution to saturate the entire cornea, for approximately six minutes.
Then ultraviolet light is applied for about four minutes, to activate riboflavin and give strength to the cornea.
It is done in order to improve the vision and resistance of the cornea for the future, removing the cone shape with the laser.
