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.
Monday, December 8, 2008
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.
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