Keratoconus

Keratoconus treatment in Tampa Bay area, Florida. Keratoconus, or KC, is a sight-threatening eye disease in which the typically round, dome-shaped cornea progressively thins and weakens, causing the development of a cone-like bulge and blurry or distorted vision.

In the early stages of keratoconus, people might experience:

• Mildly blurred vision
• Frequent prescription changes
• Excessive eye rubbing
• Difficulty seeing at night
• Frequent headaches
• Vision that cannot be fully corrected with glasses or contact lenses

The cornea is responsible for focusing most of the light that comes into the eye. Therefore, abnormalities of the cornea, such as keratoconus, can have a major impact on how an individual sees the world, making simple tasks such as driving a car or reading a book very difficult. KC can result in significant visual loss and may lead to a corneal transplant if left untreated.

QUICK FACTS

Approximately 10% of people with KC have affected relatives
Affects all ethnicities & both genders
An estimated 5-30% of people with Down syndrome are also affected by keratoconus
Typically first diagnosed in young people at puberty or in their late teens, but can affect older adults too

RISK FACTORS

Eye rubbing
Family history
Younger age at onset

Need a keratoconus evaluation? Give us a call
813-265-6940

Keratoconus Causes

Keratoconus involves both genetic and environmental factors.

Many genes have been identified that increase the risk for keratoconus. Genetic testing to determine your risk of the disease will be available at the Bay Area Eye Institute in early 2021.

Eye rubbing is usually associated with atopic conditions like asthma, hay fever, eczema, atopic and vernal keratoconjunctivitis. Other conditions linked to keratoconus include sleep apnea, Leber’s congenital amaurosis, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, Down syndrome, and osteogenesis imperfecta.

Keratoconus usually affects both eyes. At first, people can correct their vision with eyeglasses. But as the astigmatism worsens, they must rely on specially fitted contact lenses to reduce the distortion and provide better vision. Although finding a comfortable contact lens can be an extremely frustrating and difficult process, it is crucial because a poorly fitting lens could further damage the cornea and make wearing a contact lens intolerable.

If keratoconus continues to progress, treatment intervention is needed to slow or halt the progression of the disease and preserve vision. Corneal cross-linking is a minimally invasive outpatient procedure that combines the use of ultra-violet (UV) light and riboflavin (vitamin B2) eye drops. Cross-linking stiffens and strengthens the collagen fibers of the cornea that have been weakened by keratoconus. It may also help KC from getting worse over time.

In about 10 to 20 percent of people with keratoconus, the cornea will eventually become too scarred or will not tolerate a contact lens. If either of these problems occur, a corneal transplant may be needed. This operation is successful in more than 90 percent of those with advanced keratoconus. Several studies have also reported that 80 percent or more of these patients have 20/40 vision or better after the operation.

Eye Rubbing

Eye rubbing is a hallmark sign of both allergies AND keratoconus. All eye rubbing is not the same and tends to have different patterns, depending on whether allergies or keratoconus is the cause. Check this out:

keratoconus treatment tampa bay florida

The allergic eye patient tends to complain of “itchy eyes” and explains that they rub them because, “it just feels good” or, “it’s relieving.”  They tend to use their palm or back of the hand in a back-and-forth motion. Or, apply pressure in the corner of their eye with a finger tip.

The keratoconus patient who rubs their eyes may say they do it because, “it helps me see better.” They tend to apply greater pressure on the center of the eyelid, using circular motions with a knuckle or two fingertip pads.

Keratoconus Treatments

iLink corneal cross-linking for progressive keratoconus is now available at
Bay Area Eye Institute!

CHECK IT OUT!

B. J. (Verified Patient)★★★★★Sep 05, 2020 I had the cross linking procedure done to aid in slowing the progression of my keratoconus and I am so thankful that this procedure was completed! My vision has improved significantly! I am thankful to Dr. Berger and the team for giving me hope about my vision. I’m extremely grateful :) A. G. (Verified Patient)★★★★★Aug 31, 2020 Dr. Berger is great he performed a cross linking surgery to help treat my keratoconus and my vision has significantly improved. Lisa and Chad are very awesome along with the rest of the staff and I’m glad I am a patient here. E. B. (Verified Patient)★★★★★Aug 26, 2020 Always on time. Great service and friendly staff. Dr. Berger is the best. J. A. (Verified Patient)★★★★★Aug 12, 2020 The cross linking procedure was not as dranatic as I expected, which was great. The doctor made sure I was 100% comfortable before we began and Myra, the technician who stays with you throughout the procedure was a blessing. She really made the experience as soothing and relaxing as possible. Im a glad I drove as far as I did for this procedure with Dr. Berger. Highly recommend his office and staff. V. C. (Verified Patient)★★★★★Aug 10, 2020 Dr.Craig es un profesional altamente calificado . Yo estoy bajo su cuidado desde hace un año por la condición de re sequedad ocular y me ha realizado tratamientos que han mejorado en un 70% o más Esta condición. Su práctica cuenta con equipos de alta tecnología, la práctica tiene un trabajo bien coordinado lo que hace fluido el trabajo y acorta la estadía de los pacientes en la clínica. No me arrepiento de haber elegido a Dr.Craig y a Bay Area Eye Instituto para el cuidado de mi vista S. M. (Verified Patient)★★★★★Jul 23, 2020 Dr Berger and staff are very knowledgeable and helpful. I have had several eye surgeries and highly recommended them. J. S. (Verified Patient)★★★★★Jul 14, 2020 Dr. Berger and staff were extremely helpful and accommodating. Made CXL surgery a breeze. M. M. (Verified Patient)★★★★★Jul 09, 2020 Clean, Covid-19 steps in place, all staff informative and courtious. Overall great experience. J. A. (Verified Patient)★★★★★Jul 08, 2020 This place is Amazing, the staff is awesome! Everyone is friendly and very helpful! I had Corneal crosslinking done here by Dr. Berger, this place is awesome!!