What are the latest treatments for keratoconus and astigmatism?

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A user diagnosed with astigmatism has been informed by an eye clinic that they likely have keratoconus, with a prognosis suggesting a cornea transplant may be necessary in the long term. They express concern about the initial misdiagnosis and have scheduled an appointment with a cornea specialist to confirm the diagnosis and explore treatment options. The discussion highlights the emotional impact of potential vision loss and the importance of early diagnosis. Responses from others in the forum include support and shared experiences, noting that cornea surgery is common and often successful. The specialist confirmed that the condition is in its early stages and prescribed rigid gas permeable contact lenses, which may help correct vision. There is mention of the rarity of severe cases requiring surgery, with only 10-25% progressing to that point. Additionally, the specialist removed an iron particle from the user's cornea, emphasizing the challenges faced by those with keratoconus.
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The eye clinic which initially diagnosed me with astigmatism a year back, now says I most probably have Keratoconus. The prognosis looks gloomy :frown:. The only long term treatment seems to be a cornea transplant.

I think the eye clinic should have diagnosed this earlier. I've fixed an appointment with a cornea specialist tomorrow to confirm it. I hope it's still in the early stage.

You never know how valuable vision is, until there's some trouble.
 
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Very sorry to hear that, Sid. W's nieces and nephew were all born with retinitis pigmentosa, so I have a pretty good idea of how you feel. On the bright side, cornea surgery is very common and successful these days. We're pulling for you. :smile:
 
siddharth said:
The only long term treatment seems to be a cornea transplant.

Did they already tell you that you are not a candidate for RGP lenses? Here is a good site that tells contact lens options for those with keratoconus:
http://www.bostonsight.org/keratoconus.htm"

I would be interested in what the cornea specialist has to say.
 
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Are they going to give you contact lenses to correct your vision? That seems to be the treatment unless it has progressed too far, it sounds like you should be in the early stages.

It seems only 10-25% of the cases become severe enough to consider surgery.

The specialist will probably prescribe contacts. Good luck and keep us informed!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keratoconus
 
I was diagnosed with keratoconus nearly 20 yrs ago. I believe that I had the condition for some years before that. The first eye doctor to look, missed it altogether, it was not then and is still not a common condition. I had a cornea transplant about 8 years ago, and now have much better vision in that eye (my left). Evidently I have slight bit in my right eye that is being controlled with contacts.

My left cornea was unusual in the uniformity and steepness of the cone, which made it difficult to fit a contact. In those days it was a common occurrence for the contact to slip off of the cornea and since the curvatures on the side of my eye did not match the cornea it would attach itself like a suction cup to my eye. This was a major pain event. I lived with this as a daily event until I lost 3 contacts in a week. At that time I did not have health insurance and simply could not afford to replace the expensive contacts. I went 5 years with no correction in my left eye, essentially I was blind in that eye. Soon after getting a job which provided health insurance I had a cornea transplant. Live has been much better since.
 
Some good news! The specialist took a corneal topography and said that it's still at a very early stage. He did prescribe contacts. From monday, I'll be wearing rigid gas permeable lens.

Evo said:
Are they going to give you contact lenses to correct your vision? That seems to be the treatment unless it has progressed too far, it sounds like you should be in the early stages.

It seems only 10-25% of the cases become severe enough to consider surgery.

The specialist will probably prescribe contacts. Good luck and keep us informed!

Yep, that's what he said. He even said that in some cases, keratoconus may even recede.

He also removed an iron particle which was stuck in my left cornea. It must have come during the https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=96088" I did. It's scary when they stick a needle in your eye!

Integral, do you use a rgp lenses or scleral lenses? Also, did you experience corneal hydrops? That sounds scary.
 
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siddharth said:
Some good news! The specialist took a corneal topography and said that it's still at a very early stage. He did prescribe contacts. From monday, I'll be wearing rigid gas permeable lens.



Yep, that's what he said. He even said that in some cases, keratoconus may even recede.

He also removed an iron particle which was stuck in my left cornea. It must have come during the https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=96088" I did. It's scary when they stick a needle in your eye!

Integral, do you use a rgp lenses or scleral lenses? Also, did you experience corneal hydrops? That sounds scary.
Yes, I were rgp lenses in both eyes.

Hydrops? I am not familiar with the term, so I guess the answer is no. Several years ago I did have to fight off a rejection event. It took about 2yrs to get it back undercontrol. All is fine now.
 
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