Consultation of keratoconus specialist

One of the specialists in the diagnosis and treatment of keratoconus of our ophthalmological center will answer your questions, depending on their subject.

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Below the question form we provide a list of the most common questions that patients with keratoconus ask ophthalmologists. We recommend that you read them: perhaps there you will find the answer to your question.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cause of keratoconus?

The reason for the development of keratoconus is unclear. However, it was found that keratoconus is a genetically determined disease. The gene "responsible" for the development of keratoconus was discovered by scientists in 2002.

Can the development of the disease stop on its own, without treatment?

No, that's impossible. Keratoconus is a bilateral progressive pathology. Medicine known cases where the disease is kind of "suspended" in the development, the maximum delay its progression of the known – 20 years.

Is it possible to cure the disease by traditional (natural) methods, such as drops gymnastics, vitamin therapy and the like?

Since keratoconus is a genetically determined disease, that is, the disease appears in the case of "failure" of genes, it can not be cured by such methods. Drops and gymnastics can not affect the genetic apparatus of the human body.

I was diagnosed with keratoconus. Does that mean I'm going blind?

Blindness is the inability to distinguish light from darkness. To diseases that cause blindness keratoconus does not apply. Although this pathology can lead to a very significant deterioration of visual function, currently there are effective methods of treatment and correction, which allows to provide patients with visual acuity.

I was diagnosed with keratoconus. Can I see 100% after treatment?

In theory - Yes, provided that you have no pathological processes in other parts of the organs of vision: the retina, optic nerve, etc.Much is determined by the degree of keratoconus, how much time to develop a pathological process. The sooner the patient goes to the doctor and changes are detected, the better the prognosis.

Can keratoconus be stopped by wearing hard contact lenses?

Wearing contact lenses, regardless of their type, is not able to stop the development of keratoconus. This is clearly established by modern research.

MyoRing – what is it? What is its difference from ordinary intrastromal rings?

To correct high astigmatism and myopia in patients with keratoconus, intrastromal rings are used, and mayoring is one of their types. Its difference is the form and technique of implantation, and the efficiency is the same as that of other intrastromal rings.

Keraflex – what is it?

Back in the 70-ies of the last century in the USSR, a group of scientists attempted to use point local cauterization of the periphery of the cornea in order to flatten its Central part. Due to this, a decrease in the degree of myopia and astigmatism was achieved. This technique is called "thermokeratoplasty", and its modern analogue is Keraflex. I must say that this method is not very effective and the effect regresses after 6-12 months after the operation.

Circular keratotomy-what is it? Is this method effective?

This technique was proposed by the German ophthalmologist Krumeich. Circular keratotomy is a circular application of a corneal incision (90% depth)and subsequent suture. According to the point of view of the author of the method, such a deep notch flattens the cornea and reduces astigmatism, and accordingly, vision improves. In addition, due to the formation of the scar, connective tissue is stimulated in the cornea.

Unfortunately, the use of this method by other surgeons revealed the instability of the achieved result, there is a decrease in visual acuity after removal of the suture and the further development of keratoconus. In our opinion, such a deep incision of the cornea weakened by keratoconus can not lead to stabilization or improvement, but rather the opposite – contributes to the further progression of the disease. This technique is not used in our practice

Tell me about the radial keratotomy. Is it effective for keratoconus?

Radial keratotomy was proposed by academician S. N. Fedorov at the very beginning of the development of refractive surgery – in the late 70's-early 80's. The essence of the method is to apply deep radial notches on the cornea using a special knife. This critically violates the strength of the cornea, which is not too significant in the case of its normal state. But since the keratoconus corneal shell is thinned, the application of incisions threatens perforation and loss of the contents of the eye. Radial keratotomy can not be used in the case of keratoconus, it is very dangerous and can lead to eye loss.

What is Femto-crosslinking?

The essence of this method is that with the help of a femtosecond laser, a pocket is formed in the layers of the cornea, into which a solution of Riboflavin is then injected. After that, after 15 minutes, crosslinking is carried out.

This method is relatively new, and currently not enough scientifically grounded. It has not been proven that the Riboflavin introduced into the stroma sufficiently permeates the layers of the cornea, and crosslinking does occur. It is worth Recalling that the development of keratoconus occurs in the direction from the front to the back, which is why it is important that the front layers of the cornea are subjected to crosslinking, and not stroma.

Is LASIK or other laser surgery recommended in case of keratoconus?

n keratoconus LASIK is contraindicated, because it will cause the development of iatrogenic keratoectasia, whereby the deterioration of vision will take an avalanche character.

ICL – what is it? When they can be installed with keratoconus?

Phakic lenses or ICL (Implantable Contact Lenses) – the method of intraocular correction of significantly developed astigmatism and myopia. In fact, it is the same contact lens, but instead of the surface (cornea), it is installed inside the eye. It makes sense to install phakic lenses only after the cross-linking, because otherwise the development of keratoconus and constant changes in myopia and astigmatism will lead to a loss of the result of the operation. It must be said that the patient should be warned about the possible decompensation of the cornea endothelium associated with ICL implantation.

What physical activity is acceptable for keratoconus?

There is a direct relationship between intra-abdominal and intraocular pressure. In the case of heavy loads on the muscles of the abdomen increases intraocular pressure and there is a push of the cornea from the inside. Such a load in keratoconus leads to the progression of the disease, because the tissue resistance is impaired. Even after a cross-linking or corneal transplant surgery, the resistance of the cornea tissue of the patient will still be lower than that of a healthy person. Therefore, such patients can run, ride a bike, swim, ski and skate, but it is contraindicated to do weight lifting, bodybuilding, contact sports, ball games.

Keratoconus during pregnancy and childbirth

he solution of this issue is always individual, taking into account the specific situation and characteristics of the patient. It is important not only the condition of the cornea, but also the retina. Generally speaking, in the early stages of keratoconus and in the case of a healthy retina, natural childbirth is quite possible.