Keratoconus

Keratoconus Treatment in India - Available Treatment Options Explained

Keratoconus is a condition where the cornea thins and bulges outwards into a cone shape. This short explains the common treatments used to slow its progression and improve vision.

What is keratoconus

• A progressive condition. Keratoconus causes the cornea, the clear front surface of the eye, to thin and gradually bulge outward into a cone shape.
• Blurred vision. This change in the cornea's shape can cause blurred and distorted vision, which may worsen over time.
• Often affects both eyes. It usually affects both eyes, though one eye may be more severely affected than the other. It often begins in the teenage years or early twenties.

Treatments for early keratoconus

The main goal in the early stages is to slow or stop the condition from getting worse.

• Specialist contact lenses. Rigid gas permeable (RGP) contact lenses or larger scleral lenses can help to correct vision by creating a smooth refractive surface over the irregular cornea.
• Corneal cross-linking (C3R). This is a minimally invasive procedure that uses UV light and riboflavin eye drops to strengthen the cornea. This can halt the progression of the bulging.
• INTACS. These are small, transparent plastic rings inserted into the mid-layer of the cornea to help flatten it. This can improve vision and make it easier to wear contact lenses.

Treatments for advanced keratoconus

If the condition progresses or vision cannot be corrected with lenses, surgery may be an option.

• Corneal transplant. In advanced cases with significant corneal scarring or thinning, a surgeon may recommend a corneal transplant. This involves replacing your damaged cornea with healthy donor tissue.
• Types of transplant. The surgery may be a full-thickness transplant (penetrating keratoplasty) or a partial-thickness transplant (deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty, or DALK).
• Case-by-case decision. The choice of procedure depends on the extent of the corneal damage and the surgeon's assessment of your specific case.

The most suitable treatment for keratoconus depends on your individual case, including the stage of the condition and your overall eye health. A final decision is always made after a cornea specialist has reviewed your medical reports and recent eye scans.