KERATOCONUS

EXPERTS IN KERATOCONUS

We are fortunate to count around 150 patients with corneal dystrophies, keratoconus and pellucid marginal degeneration as our patients. As a rule of thumb, most practitioners would see no more than a handful of patients with these conditions annually.

We also have experience ranging from hospital settings to private practice in dealing with these challenging eyes. This gives us exceptional experience in these rare conditions. We can monitor these eye conditions for change over time as we have the latest corneal topographers and OCT corneal laser scanning equipment in practice.

WHAT IS KERATOCONUS?

Keratoconus literally means "conical or cone-shaped cornea". It is a condition that affects vision.

The cornea is the major focussing surface of the eye. In keratoconus, the cornea becomes stretched and thin near its centre, and the thinned part of the cornea bulges - making the vision more shortsighted and irregular. As a result the vision is distorted. The stretching of the cornea tends to progress but the rate varies. Sometimes one eye may be badly affected while the other eye may show very little sign of the condition.

HOW CAN WE HELP?

Contact lenses help improve the quality of vision with keratoconus. However, as explained by the National Keratoconus Foundation:

There is no one design that is best for every type or stage of keratoconus. The “best lens” is the one that fits your eye, corrects your vision and is comfortable to wear. Rely on an experienced [keratoconus] lens fitter to select the best lens for your eye. The needs of each individual is carefully weighed to find the lens that offers the best combination of visual acuity, comfort and corneal health. Contact lens fitting for keratoconus is part science and part art. A great deal of patience is required both on the part of the fitter and the patient.

Below is an outline of the contact lenses available for keratoconus.

At Kerr, we have lots of experience of fitting contact lenses for our keratoconus patients, achieving some great outcomes.

SOFT LENSES

The role of soft lenses for keratoconus vision correction has changed dramatically in the past year. The new soft lens designs combine the latest technologies in silicone hydrogel materials and complex mathematics to offer comfortable wear and excellent vision.

RGP CONTACT LENSES

Rigid Gas Permeable (RGP or GP) contact lenses are primary option for correcting KC vision. The rigid lens masks the underlying irregular cornea and functions as the new refractive surface of the eye, with the tear film filling in the space between the back of the contact lens andthe front of the eye.

PIGGY-BACKS

This is a two lens system; an RGP lens worn on top of a soft lens. The RGP lens provides crisp vision and the soft lens acts as a cushion providing comfort.

HYBRID LENSES

TThis is a lens design combination that has an RGP center surrounded by a soft peripheral “skirt”. Hybrid contact can provide the crisp optics of a GP lens and wearing comfort of soft contact lenses. They are available in a wide variety of parameters to provide a fit that conforms well to the irregular shape of a keratoconic eye.

OVERNIGHT VISION CORRECTION

Wouldn’t it be great if you could correct your eyesight while you slept? Well, now you can. It’s called orthokeratology, or Ortho K.

Ortho K is the fitting of specially designed contact lenses that you wear overnight. While you sleep, the lenses gently reshape the front surface of your eye (the cornea) so your sight has improved the next morning. An alternative to laser eye surgery.

WHAT IS EYEDREAM?

EyeDream is a vision correction therapy that provides clear, comfortable vision without the need to wear contact lenses during the day. No more restrictions on how long you wear your lenses, no more irritation in dry, smoky environments or at the end of a long day.

EyeDream is ideal for low-/mid-shortsighted people who:

Want clear natural vision all day, every day.
Have considered refractive surgery because of the freedom it provides, but are worried about the risks.
Find soft contact lenses do not fulfill the comfort demands their lifestyle places on their eyes.
Are involved in recreational and sports activities where periods without wearing contact lenses is ideal.

HOW IT WORKS

EyeDream is a vision therapy that brings a modern approach to a technique known as orthokeratology. EyeDream lenses are manufactured from special highly oxygen permeable material. When worn during the night these lenses apply a controlled shape to the ‘window’ at the front of the eye (the cornea), eliminating your shortsightedness. This effect stays strong enough for you to function the entire day without spectacles or contact lenses.

EyeDream utilises the tried and tested lens design that has been available in Europe since 2002 and currently boasts thousands of happy patients. EyeDream is available to patients with the following degrees of short sightedness:

A spherical spectacle prescription of -0.75D up to -4.50D
Astigmatism of up to -1.50D