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Keratoconus

Keratoconus develops when the eye’s cornea thins and then gradually bulges outward into a cone shape. A cone-shaped cornea may cause blurred vision and sensitivity to light and glare.

Keratoconus normally affects both eyes, which often starts affecting people from the age of 10 years. Glasses or soft contact lenses may be used to correct vision issues in the early stages of keratoconus. A cornea transplant may be needed if your condition becomes severe.

When is surgery needed?

If you may have corneal scarring, extreme thinning of the cornea, poor vision even when you have the strongest prescription lenses or an inability to wear any type of contact lenses.

People suffering from keratoconus may experience symptoms such as:

• Blurred or distorted vision
• Increased sensitivity to bright lights and glare which may lead to difficulties of driving at night
• Frequent change in your eyeglass prescription
• Worsening or clouding of vision

These symptoms may change as the disease progresses.

What does surgery involve?

There are various different types of surgeries available which depends on the location of the bulging cone or the severity of your condition, Dr Davey may recommend that either of the below keratoconus surgery is performed.

• Corneal inserts. During this surgery, Dr Davey will place tiny, clear and crescent-shaped plastic inserts, called intracorneal ring segments, in the cornea so that it flattens the cone, supports the cornea’s shape and improve your vision.
• A cornea transplant, also known as keratoplasty. During this surgery, Dr Davey may cut through the full thickness portion of the central cornea to remove a small button-sized disk of the corneal tissue. The ophthalmologist will then place and stitch a new donor cornea in the opening where the old cornea was removed. Dr Davey may remove the stitches later when you see him again.