Old belief: Males are predominantly affected by this disease. - Most modern studies with wide bases do not support this. Keratoconus affects both genders in a comparable manner.
Old belief : There is no known precipitating factor for keratoconus. - EYE RUBBING is thought to be a precipitating factor in about half the patients diagnosed with Keratoconus.
Old belief: Allergies are more commonly seen in this group of patients. This stands validated in several newer studies across the world including our own.
Monday, September 28, 2009
Monday, May 11, 2009
Information about keratoconus
We have put together some information about Keratoconus from various sources into an ebook - pdf format on our website www.corneatransplant.net and www.clearvision.org.in Those of you who are interested may download the free copy from the above sites.
Sunday, April 5, 2009
ICL for Keratoconus
Implantable contact lens (Staar Surgical, Switzerland) is another tool that is being used to help patients of keratoconus with large refractive errors.
This has shown itself to be a useful method in helping patients with advanced keratoconus and high myopia with cylindrical errors (usually in excess of -10 Diopters with upto -6Diopters cylinder)
It helps this class of patients improve the uncorrected visual acuity and allows use fo glasses for the small residual errors.
However, it may not take away all the visual deficits. As we now understand, it can not take care of the higher order aberrations and thus the quality of vision still remains less than ideal. However, it a great step from not being able to do anything at all.
This has shown itself to be a useful method in helping patients with advanced keratoconus and high myopia with cylindrical errors (usually in excess of -10 Diopters with upto -6Diopters cylinder)
It helps this class of patients improve the uncorrected visual acuity and allows use fo glasses for the small residual errors.
However, it may not take away all the visual deficits. As we now understand, it can not take care of the higher order aberrations and thus the quality of vision still remains less than ideal. However, it a great step from not being able to do anything at all.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Corneal Cross Linking for keratoconus
My research work on Corneal cross linking in Keratoconus has been published in the Indian Journal of Ophthlamology. It is available for free access at the following link:
www.ijo.in/text.asp?2009/57/2/111/44515
or
http://ijo.in/temp/IndianJOphthalmol572111-7593375_020633.pdf
www.ijo.in/text.asp?2009/57/2/111/44515
or
http://ijo.in/temp/IndianJOphthalmol572111-7593375_020633.pdf
Monday, December 8, 2008
New thoughts on keratoconus around the world
Keratoconus may occur due to an imbalance reactive oxygen species (ROS) and Reactive Nitrogen Species (NOS). The ratio is higher in keratoconus patients. This can be exaggerated by exposure to the UVB, chemicals, and mechanical stress such as that caused by poorly fitted contact lenses.
If this is true then AVOIDING EYE RUBBING can not be overstated. Also treatment for allergies need to be well addressed.
Antioxidative therapy, like the ones currently used in retinal treatment could be a possible future option.
Other details will follow in subsequent posts.
If this is true then AVOIDING EYE RUBBING can not be overstated. Also treatment for allergies need to be well addressed.
Antioxidative therapy, like the ones currently used in retinal treatment could be a possible future option.
Other details will follow in subsequent posts.
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Will I go blind from keratoconus, doctor"
Over the years, treating hundred of individuals with keratoconus I have found that the fear of going blind of keratoconus is a huge issue for many of my patients.
The issue lies in the fact that a keratoconic patient feels like they are always on a treadmill. Apart from regular eye exams sometimes every three months, the fear of losing lenses and of the lenses no longer fitting and being forced to do a corneal transplant is constantly on their minds.
The best way to cope with this ongoing activity is to just accept it and trust that the practitioner treating them will always keep their interest at heart. Finding a practitioner that understands the issues associated with keratoconus is a matter of finding someone that sees many keratoconic patients.
Every keratoconic patient is unique in their own way, but if time is spent analyzing the problems that come up, the overwhelming majority of problems have very satisfactory solutions.
If you are not seeing a keratoconic specialist just ask! You will find that most practitioners will only be too willing to help you find someone that can help you.
The issue lies in the fact that a keratoconic patient feels like they are always on a treadmill. Apart from regular eye exams sometimes every three months, the fear of losing lenses and of the lenses no longer fitting and being forced to do a corneal transplant is constantly on their minds.
The best way to cope with this ongoing activity is to just accept it and trust that the practitioner treating them will always keep their interest at heart. Finding a practitioner that understands the issues associated with keratoconus is a matter of finding someone that sees many keratoconic patients.
Every keratoconic patient is unique in their own way, but if time is spent analyzing the problems that come up, the overwhelming majority of problems have very satisfactory solutions.
If you are not seeing a keratoconic specialist just ask! You will find that most practitioners will only be too willing to help you find someone that can help you.
Is cross linking the only management a keratoconus patient needs?
With the arrival of Corneal Cross Linking for Keratoconus, there seems to be an increasing thought process that all that a keratoconus patient is to get C3R procedure done!!
I have been a service provider in the field of Keratoconus for the last several years and have experience in cross linking too. It seems important to point out to both, patients as well as doctors, that C3R provides only one more tool in the care of keratoconus affected individuals. The role of other modalities like contact lenses, intracorneal rings, Laser related surface treatments, ICL insertion, etc remains useful in visual restoration.
It is important to understand that C3R prevents further deterioration in vision (may be some improvement in vision too) and we still need the other modalities.
Thus physicians interested in this field should acquire a complete understanding of this complex interplay in each patient.
Similarly keratoconus affected individuals should select their centers of care with the overall care in mind. C3R alone is not the panacea for keratoconus.
I have been a service provider in the field of Keratoconus for the last several years and have experience in cross linking too. It seems important to point out to both, patients as well as doctors, that C3R provides only one more tool in the care of keratoconus affected individuals. The role of other modalities like contact lenses, intracorneal rings, Laser related surface treatments, ICL insertion, etc remains useful in visual restoration.
It is important to understand that C3R prevents further deterioration in vision (may be some improvement in vision too) and we still need the other modalities.
Thus physicians interested in this field should acquire a complete understanding of this complex interplay in each patient.
Similarly keratoconus affected individuals should select their centers of care with the overall care in mind. C3R alone is not the panacea for keratoconus.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)