Keratoconus Treatment

Keratoconus can make it challenging to go about day-to-day activities such as work, driving, and leisure. If keratoconus impacts your quality of life, there are treatment options that can help. At Heart of Texas Eye Care, we provide procedures to slow the progression of keratoconus and improve vision and symptoms.

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Learn more about Keratoconus Treatment

What is Keratoconus Treatment and How Does it Work?

Keratoconus treatment aims to either slow the progression of keratoconus or enhance the vision impacted by it. Treatment for keratoconus in its early stages involves using glasses and contacts; however, surgical procedures may be necessary for the later stages of keratoconus. At Heart of Texas Eye Care, we provide two treatments for keratoconus: collagen cross-linking and penetrating keratoplasty, also known as a corneal transplant.

Keratoconus is an eye condition in which the cornea, the clear portion of the eye, becomes thin and develops a cone-shaped bulge. The cornea plays a significant role in our vision; as light enters the eye, it is the cornea that directs light rays to land precisely on the retina. When the cornea is not shaped correctly, light rays will not hit the retina accurately, resulting in poor vision. Keratoconus will most often affect both eyes, but the symptoms can vary from person to person and even from eye to eye. 

The most common causes involve genetics and eye rubbing. It is important that patients with keratoconus do not rub their eyes as eye rubbing will weaken the corneal stroma and cause it to bulge further. Blurred or distorted vision and frequent changes in eyeglass prescription are generally the first signs of keratoconus. 

Common symptoms of keratoconus include:

  • Blurred or distorted vision
  • Sensitivity to light
  • Glare, halos, or starbursts when looking at lights
  • Double vision
  • Vision loss
  • Eye pain

How Can I Benefit From Keratoconus Treatment?

Keratoconus treatment can prevent further vision loss or restore vision loss from keratoconus and enhance patients’ quality of life. With early diagnosis, patients can preserve the health of their eyes and manage their condition to prevent more severe symptoms.

Some of the benefits of keratoconus treatment include:

Collagen Cross-Linking:

  • Slow or stop the progression of keratoconus
  • Prevent the need for corneal transplant in the future
  • Make wearing contact lenses more comfortable

Corneal Transplant:

  • Improve vision 
  • Relieve pain and other symptoms of Keratoconus

What to Expect During Keratoconus Treatment

For many, having keratoconus means nothing more than having to use glasses or contacts, but for some, this condition can progress to severe levels and significantly affect vision and quality of life. In the later stages of keratoconus, glasses and contact lenses will no longer correct the vision. Depending on the stage of your keratoconus, we can provide the following treatment options.

Collagen Cross-linking 

Collagen cross-linking halts the progression of keratoconus. However, it does not correct the bulging cornea. This treatment is most beneficial when the patient is still in the early stages of keratoconus and can see well with glasses or contact lenses. 

During your appointment, your nurse will administer anesthetic eye drops and medication to help you relax and ensure you feel no discomfort during treatment. Once you are ready, your surgeon will begin the treatment by applying riboflavin eye drops to the eyes. They will then have you look into a UV light, which will create new collagen cross-links. After your treatment is complete, you will be able to return home to rest and recover.

Penetrating Keratoplasty (Corneal Transplant)

Penetrating keratoplasty (corneal transplant) involves removing the portion of the bulging cornea and replacing it with a healthy donor cornea. This surgery is optimal when the vision is affected to the point where the patient no longer sees well in hard contact lenses.

Once your nurse administers numbing eyedrops and finishes preparing you for treatment, our team will take you to the operating suite. During penetrating keratoplasty, your surgeon will make a small, precise incision to remove a portion of corneal tissue from the irregular cornea. They will then insert the donor cornea and close the incision with sutures.

Recovery Timeline for Keratoconus Treatment

Following collagen cross-linking, your practitioner will place a bandage contact into your eye that will remain in place until it is ready to be removed. Your vision may be blurry after treatment, but this typically fades within two to three weeks. Avoid rubbing or touching your eye, as well as getting any irritants in them, including water, dust, and smoke. It is best to refrain from wearing eye makeup and strenuous exercise. 

After a corneal transplant, you will need to take some time off of work to recover. You will need to take eye drops and medications to help prevent infection and swelling. You should also take extra care to avoid damaging the eye and refrain from eye rubbing. Regular eye exams will ensure optimal healing and eye health during and after recovery. Regardless of the treatment you receive, protecting your eyes from UV rays and wearing sunglasses are essential for your eye health.

Who Can Have Keratoconus Treatment?

Patients with early stages of keratoconus are typically best suited for collagen cross-linking. Patients in the late stages of keratoconus with severe corneal scarring or a history of immune disorders may not be candidates for treatment.

Patients with late-stage keratoconus with cornea bulging that prevents them from comfortably wearing contact lenses are typically good candidates for a corneal transplant. We recommend this treatment for patients who can not improve their condition through other procedures. 

What is Keratoconus Treatment and How Does it Work?

Keratoconus treatment aims to either slow the progression of keratoconus or enhance the vision impacted by it. Treatment for keratoconus in its early stages involves using glasses and contacts; however, surgical procedures may be necessary for the later stages of keratoconus. At Heart of Texas Eye Care, we provide two treatments for keratoconus: collagen cross-linking and penetrating keratoplasty, also known as a corneal transplant.

Keratoconus is an eye condition in which the cornea, the clear portion of the eye, becomes thin and develops a cone-shaped bulge. The cornea plays a significant role in our vision; as light enters the eye, it is the cornea that directs light rays to land precisely on the retina. When the cornea is not shaped correctly, light rays will not hit the retina accurately, resulting in poor vision. Keratoconus will most often affect both eyes, but the symptoms can vary from person to person and even from eye to eye. 

The most common causes involve genetics and eye rubbing. It is important that patients with keratoconus do not rub their eyes as eye rubbing will weaken the corneal stroma and cause it to bulge further. Blurred or distorted vision and frequent changes in eyeglass prescription are generally the first signs of keratoconus. 

Common symptoms of keratoconus include:

  • Blurred or distorted vision
  • Sensitivity to light
  • Glare, halos, or starbursts when looking at lights
  • Double vision
  • Vision loss
  • Eye pain

How Can I Benefit From Keratoconus Treatment?

Keratoconus treatment can prevent further vision loss or restore vision loss from keratoconus and enhance patients’ quality of life. With early diagnosis, patients can preserve the health of their eyes and manage their condition to prevent more severe symptoms.

Some of the benefits of keratoconus treatment include:

Collagen Cross-Linking:

  • Slow or stop the progression of keratoconus
  • Prevent the need for corneal transplant in the future
  • Make wearing contact lenses more comfortable

Corneal Transplant:

  • Improve vision 
  • Relieve pain and other symptoms of Keratoconus

What to Expect During Keratoconus Treatment

For many, having keratoconus means nothing more than having to use glasses or contacts, but for some, this condition can progress to severe levels and significantly affect vision and quality of life. In the later stages of keratoconus, glasses and contact lenses will no longer correct the vision. Depending on the stage of your keratoconus, we can provide the following treatment options.

Collagen Cross-linking 

Collagen cross-linking halts the progression of keratoconus. However, it does not correct the bulging cornea. This treatment is most beneficial when the patient is still in the early stages of keratoconus and can see well with glasses or contact lenses. 

During your appointment, your nurse will administer anesthetic eye drops and medication to help you relax and ensure you feel no discomfort during treatment. Once you are ready, your surgeon will begin the treatment by applying riboflavin eye drops to the eyes. They will then have you look into a UV light, which will create new collagen cross-links. After your treatment is complete, you will be able to return home to rest and recover.

Penetrating Keratoplasty (Corneal Transplant)

Penetrating keratoplasty (corneal transplant) involves removing the portion of the bulging cornea and replacing it with a healthy donor cornea. This surgery is optimal when the vision is affected to the point where the patient no longer sees well in hard contact lenses.

Once your nurse administers numbing eyedrops and finishes preparing you for treatment, our team will take you to the operating suite. During penetrating keratoplasty, your surgeon will make a small, precise incision to remove a portion of corneal tissue from the irregular cornea. They will then insert the donor cornea and close the incision with sutures.

Recovery Timeline for Keratoconus Treatment

Following collagen cross-linking, your practitioner will place a bandage contact into your eye that will remain in place until it is ready to be removed. Your vision may be blurry after treatment, but this typically fades within two to three weeks. Avoid rubbing or touching your eye, as well as getting any irritants in them, including water, dust, and smoke. It is best to refrain from wearing eye makeup and strenuous exercise. 

After a corneal transplant, you will need to take some time off of work to recover. You will need to take eye drops and medications to help prevent infection and swelling. You should also take extra care to avoid damaging the eye and refrain from eye rubbing. Regular eye exams will ensure optimal healing and eye health during and after recovery. Regardless of the treatment you receive, protecting your eyes from UV rays and wearing sunglasses are essential for your eye health.

Who Can Have Keratoconus Treatment?

Patients with early stages of keratoconus are typically best suited for collagen cross-linking. Patients in the late stages of keratoconus with severe corneal scarring or a history of immune disorders may not be candidates for treatment.

Patients with late-stage keratoconus with cornea bulging that prevents them from comfortably wearing contact lenses are typically good candidates for a corneal transplant. We recommend this treatment for patients who can not improve their condition through other procedures. 

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Next Step

Would you like to learn more about keratoconus treatment and take the first step toward a clearer future? Then please fill out our online form below or call us at (512) 213-2220 to get started with an in-person consultation at Heart of Texas Eye Care. Our courteous staff and board-certified ophthalmologists are here to assist you through every step of your journey!

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Clearer Vision
Starts Here

If you’re ready for lasting vision correction with LASIK, a consultation for cataracts, or maybe blepharoplasty to rejuvenate aging eyes, our team can help. Or maybe it’s time for your yearly eye exam or maintenance Botox® injections. Click the button below to explore financing options for all your eye care needs.

View Our Financing Options

Clearer Vision
Starts Here

View Our Financing Options

If you’re ready for lasting vision correction with LASIK, a consultation for cataracts, or maybe blepharoplasty to rejuvenate aging eyes, our team can help. Or maybe it’s time for your yearly eye exam or maintenance Botox® injections. Click the button below to explore financing options for all your eye care needs.