Keratoconus sufferers can take comfort in the new trials that have found that cross-linking helps keratoconus. Affecting one person in every thousand, this degenerative disease in the eye causes the part of the eye known as the cornea to change its shape from a cone into a curve. This exciting new procedure has been shown to stop that regression.

Keratoconus typically distorts the patients vision and causes them to see multiple images, streaks and to become very sensitive to light. It is typically diagnosed during the early teenage years but is more common in its severity in the next two following decades.

Unfortunately the loss of vision quality can affect the sufferers ability to drive a car or read, and so this condition can serious alter the quality of a persons life. Although both contact lenses and ring segments for the cornea can be enough to cope short term with the condition; a more drastic solution has to be found for the long term, and this can mean that surgery is the only option.

Thankfully leaps and bounds in medical research have allowed a technique known as Corneal Collagen Cross-linking to be developed, and early research has shown that this new advancement can slow down and actually halt the regression of this ailment.

The treatment uses Riboflavin and UVA light to form new, strong bonds with the collagen strands in the corneal layer known as the stroma. After consultation, the procedure is performed under topical anaesthesia. The surface of the cornea is partially gently scratched. This has the same sensation as a foreign body inside the eye and will make the eye a little red. Drops of the Riboflavin solution is applied painlessly into the eye and is then activated by the UVA lighting beamed onto the cornea.

Patients have reported that the hour long operation was very positive and results were pleasing. Afterwards the patient is only required to wear a special eye pad and use antibiotic cream overnight as the corneal surface heals extremely rapidly. Self-administered pain relief can be used for the first 1-2 days as the eye may be a little uncomfortable.

Studies have shown that cross linking is effective in arresting progression of Keratoconus and it has been indicated that that the regression of condition is halted. Clinical trials are still on-going, but these promising early trials show that cross-linking helps keratoconus, and has a promising future for the worldwide treatment of this condition, maybe even significantly reducing the need for future corneal transplantation.

Take a look at some of the new keratoconus treatments at keratoconus treatment and checkout Lasik correction at Khanna Institute

Genetics, allergies, Southern Asians and Downs Syndrome are linked to the population affected by Keratoconus, which is a degenerative disease process of the cornea of the eye. A collagen malfunction induces changes in the structure of the cornea from curved to conical resulting in visual impairment. A connection in those afflicted with this disorder has been possibly attributed to allergic disease affecting the eyes that cause some to develop secondary “eye rubbing” resulting in a contributing factor in cornea deterioration in genetically predisposed patients. Treatments for keratoconus can restore 20/20 vision.

Early symptoms may exhibit minor blurring of vision often associated with refractive eye defects. Early diagnosis is often in adolescence. This disorder is often bilateral, but can exhibit asymmetrically. Acuity can deteriorate rapidly at all distances. Photophobia, eye-strain and itching without pain may present. Night vision may be significantly impaired. A classic, definitive clue is the perception of “ghost” images, with image movement noted relative to heartbeat. Patients may be aware of streaking and flaring distortion at light sources.

Definitive diagnosis is accomplished through slit-lamp examination of the cornea. The test with highest accuracy is corneal topography that allows mapping of the curve of the cornea. Topography will identify keratoconus, which should not be treated with laser surgery. Advanced disease is determined by degree of thinning at the point of the cone through a painless examine called pachymetry.

Patients with keratoconus have a good prognosis. Very mild cases may be corrected through glasses or soft contact lenses. Most patients, however, will require rigid contact lenses for the best visual correction. Patients with more advanced disease will benefit optimally from gas-permeable contact lenses, which will maintain their ability to legally drive and read normal print.

Surgery may be necessary in treatments for keratoconus that have progressed. Corneal ring segments restore reshaped corneas for effective use of contact lenses. Experimental corneal cross-linking reduces flexibility of the cornea to stabilize the disorder, allowing follow up with safe correction through laser surgery. More rarely, corneal transplantation may be required.

Corneal transplantation is reserved for those patients with the most severe presentations of deterioration. Results are generally good. Recovery can be lengthy, however, and patients usually need contact lenses. Rejection risk is much lower than other organ transplants.

In the case of young adults that do not have a perfect vision improvement with glasses needs to be evaluated by a specialist in corneal refractory diseases. There is evidence that unaddressed allergic disease with eye involvement can precipitate the exacerbation of this disease and recommend all patients abstain from rubbing their eyes, although the general consensus is that the disease is not preventable.

Rajesh Khanna, M.D. has more reviews and suggestions at his website keratoconus and checkout Lasik correction at Khanna Institute