KERATOCONUS TREATMENT
DIFFERENT WAYS TO TREAT KERATOCONUS WITH PRECISION, SAFETY AND EFFECTIVENESS
TREATING CATARACTS WITH KERATOCONUS
What is Keratoconus?
Keratoconus is a congenital corneal condition. It affects the cornea and causes it to deform and become thin. It is a process that occurs gradually and causes myopia, as well as marked irregular astigmatism, with the consequent decrease in the visual quality of the affected patient.
It is usually detected in young people from puberty and tends to progress for several decades, usually stabilising from the thirties. It can be associated with a large number of local or systemic conditions.
It is believed to have a genetic basis, although it is important to highlight the importance of factors such as ocular rubbing, since most patients with this disorder increase the pathology due to the continuous rubbing of the eyes, injuring the cornea.
HOW TO CURE THE KERATOCONUS?
Depending on the severity or the development of the pathology, we can offer different treatments to correct keratoconus and the poor vision it causes.
When keratoconus is mild and no progress is seen, it is possible to correct poor vision with the use of glasses. If it is moderate it can be corrected by the use of rigid contact lenses.
In none of these cases will the use of glasses or contact lenses slows the advance of keratoconus. When the condition of keratoconus is more severe or progresses, surgery can be used.
TYPES OF SURGERIES TO TREAT KERATOCONUS
Cross Linking
Cross Linking is a non-invasive surgery that consists in the hardening of the cornea by an enzymatic reaction, caused by the reaction between certain liquid compounds and the application of ultraviolet light. With this corneal hardening we manage to slow down the development of keratoconus.
Intrastromal corneal ring implant
This surgical technique consists of the implantation of segments made of acrylic materials. Thanks to the pressure generated by the ends of these segments, the cornea is modelled and keratoconus is corrected.
For the introduction of these segments it is necessary to “carve” a small tunnel in the cornea.
It should be noted that at the Martínez de Carneros Ophthalmological Clinic we perform this surgery using the FEMTOSECOND laser, a precise laser that separates tissues more naturally and accurately, by concentrating energy at the points where it is needed.
Thanks to this laser and the experience of the ophthalmologists and surgeons at the Martínez de Carneros Clinic, this surgery is extremely precise, safe and effective meaning the patient will recover quickly after the operation.
Cornea Transplant:
When the keratoconus is very advanced and none of the above options are feasible, corneal transplantation is employed.
This surgery removes the cornea affected by the keratoconus and replaces it with another compatible one, of human origin, taking all possible measures so that the recipient does not reject the implanted tissue.
