Keratoconus Treatments

Intacs® corneal implants:

Intacs® are an FDA and Health Canada approved option for the keratoconus patient.

They are small crescents of a contact lens-like material (PMMA) that are implanted on the outer edge of the cornea by an Ophthalmologist.

One of the benefits to Intacs® in keratoconus is making the eye more tolerant to contact lenses, hopefully avoiding a corneal transplant.

More information can be found at >>IntactsforKeratoconus.com

Corneal Crosslinking:

• Corneal Collagen Crosslinking is a medical treatment that works by strengthening the corneal tissue by creating strong bonds (crosslinks) between corneal collagen fibers. Meaning…. CXL stabilizes the cornea and prevents the condition from worsening.
• The goal of the procedure is to prevent further progression of keratoconus or ectasia, not to correct or reverse the Keratoconus.
• Research indicates crosslinking can stop the progression of keratoconus but can also flatten the cornea potentially resulting in visual improvement.
• A patient with keratoconus who needed to wear contact lenses prior to CXL will likely still need to wear them after the treatment, but will hopefully experience less need to change the lens prescription.

While the exact cause of keratoconus has not yet been determined, research into keratoconus continues and new treatment options are continually under development…Hang in there!

 More information can be found at >> Living with Keratoconus.com/cross-linking

Corneal Transplant:

As keratoconus progresses, some scarring of the cornea can occur. Eventually, contact lenses may no longer be a successful treatment. Instead, the cornea may need to be replaced surgically with a donor cornea of more regular shape. There are many different corneal transplant procedures available.