Keratoconus Demystified: Understanding the Thinning Cornea and Modern Treatment Options at Orbit Eye Hospital

Keratoconus is a progressive eye disease where the cornea (the clear, dome-shaped front surface of the eye) thins out and bulges into a cone shape. This change causes distorted vision, nearsightedness, and irregular astigmatism. Early diagnosis is crucial to slow its progression and preserve vision.

At Orbit Eye Hospital, our team of cornea specialists, including Dr. Lakshmi Hari Bipin Kattana, provides comprehensive care for this challenging condition.

Our Modern Treatment Pathway:

1. Early Stage Management: In the initial stages, eyeglasses or specialized contact lenses (like Rigid Gas Permeable or Scleral lenses) are used to correct vision.
2. Corneal Collagen Cross-Linking (CXL): This is the primary treatment to stop the progression of Keratoconus. It involves applying Riboflavin eye drops (a form of Vitamin B) and then activating it with UV light. This process strengthens the collagen fibres in the cornea, essentially "stiffening" the tissue to prevent further bulging.
3. Corneal Ring Segments (Intacs): For some patients, tiny, arc-shaped plastic rings can be inserted into the mid-layer of the cornea to flatten the cone shape and improve vision.
4. Corneal Transplant: In advanced cases where CXL is no longer effective or scarring is severe, a complete Corneal Transplant (Keratoplasty) may be necessary to restore sight. Our surgical team is highly experienced in performing this intricate procedure.

If you or a loved one are constantly rubbing your eyes or experiencing worsening, irregular astigmatism, consult with our corneal specialists to get a detailed diagnosis using our Pentacam technology.