What is Keratoconus?
If you’ve been diagnosed with keratoconus, you will have plenty of questions about what this diagnosis means for your vision and your life. The fellowship-trained eye doctors at the Eye Center of Northern Colorado can help you understand the implications and teach you about the treatment options.
- Keratoconus is estimated to affect 1 in 2,000 people of all races.
- Keratoconus is a disease that causes a progressive thinning of the cornea (the front clear portion of the eye).
- Although keratoconus rarely results in absolute blindness, it can significantly impair vision and approximately 20% of patients may require a corneal transplant.
- Treatment options include scleral lenses, corneal collagen cross-linking, and corneal transplants.
Causes of Keratoconus
- While the cause of keratoconus is somewhat unknown, there is evidence to support that it has genetic origins that are possibly worsened by environmental factors, such as eye rubbing.
- Keratoconus typically affects both eyes but progresses at varying rates.
- Characteristically it begins in the teen years, gradually worsening and eventually stabilizing in the 30s and 40s.
Treatment Options For Keratoconus
Treatment of keratoconus typically consists of fitting the patient with rigid contact lenses to address the bulging cornea with the objective of improving vision. A proper contact lens fit by Dr. Chaney and Dr. Marske, trained professionals in the treatment of keratoconus, is essential in obtaining the best possible vision as well as physical comfort.
Corneal Crosslinking:
- Corneal Collagen Crosslinking (CXL) is an FDA approved treatment for patients with keratoconus and other conditions that cause weak corneas.
- This procedure has been shown to strengthen the fibers of the eye’s cornea by applying riboflavin, a form of vitamin-B2, followed by treatment with ultraviolet A light.
Types of Corneal Crosslinking:
- Epithelium off: The thin layer covering the eye’s surface is removed, allowing for faster penetration with liquid riboflavin
- Epithelium on (Transepithelial): The epithelial surface is left intact which requires a longer riboflavin loading time
Why Choose us for Keratoconus Treatment?
The Eye Center of Northern Colorado provides specialty cornea care for all issues relating to the cornea. Dr. Jason Mayer is our board certified and fellowship-trained corneal specialists. He offers diagnosis, treatment, and education about medical issues related to the cornea. We have locations in Fort Collins, Loveland, and Greeley as well as satellite clinics in other cities throughout Northern Colorado, and Wyoming.
