Keratoconus Treatments Portsmouth

Keratoconus treatments: specialist contact lenses, corneal collagen cross-linking, topography guided laser, (ICL) and corneal transplantation.

Treatment at a glance

Treatment Time

Treatment dependent

Anaesthetic

Treatment dependent

Downtime

Treatment dependent

Price

Treatment dependent

Key Benefit

Improved quality of vision

Treatment Time

Treatment dependent

Anaesthetic

Treatment dependent

Downtime

Treatment dependent

Price

Treatment dependent

Key Benefit

Improved quality of vision

Each treatment option is clinically proven and aims to greatly improve a person’s vision – and their quality of life. The specific procedure that a person requires is dependent on their individual circumstances; taking into account the stage of progression, the patient’s age and any relevant lifestyle factors. At Prema we’ll always consider non-surgical options before the surgical ones, which may involve undergoing a corneal transplant.

Many people require the use of glasses (spectacles) to help them see clearly; whether that’s for near vision, distance vision or a combination of both. It is often the case that their quality of vision continues to decline at a steady rate, and their optical prescription changes. A keratoconus treatment may be recommended when the cornea has thinned to a point where glasses are no longer providing functional vision.

What are the benefits of Keratoconus Treatments?

Slows down the progression of keratoconus
Helps to prevent visual loss
Improves quality of vision
Improved functioning of the cornea

How Is It Performed?

The way each procedure is performed will depend on the option that is recommended

How Is It Performed?

The way each procedure is performed will depend on the option that is recommended

Prema may suggest a specialist contact lens when a patient is in the early stages of keratoconus (thin cornea), offering the most suitable option which may include: soft contact lenses, hybrid contact lenses, rigid gas permeable contact lenses (RGL), scleral contact or mini-scleral contact lenses.

Corneal collagen cross-linking involves the delivery of an Ultraviolet light source mixed with riboflavin to the cornea. This helps to strengthen the collagen fibres found in the corneal structure.

Stromal rings are clear, plastic and semi-circular. They are available in various thicknesses and are applied to the outer edges of the cornea. They are designed to flatten the cornea and correct the myopic error.

Topography guided laser restores the shape of the cornea for clearer vision. However, this treatment does not always eradicate the need for glasses.

Implantable contact lenses (ICL) are customised to each patient, and are a suitable option when keratoconus has caused the patient to need a very high prescription for glasses.
A corneal transplant may be considered for advanced cases of keratoconus, when the affected corneal cells will be removed and replaced with healthier cells – from a human donation.

Frequently asked questions

What is keratoconus?

Keratoconus is a progressive condition whereby the cornea (the clear dome-shaped window at the front of the eye) gets thinner. It occurs as the collagen fibres in the internal structure of the eye weaken, resulting in a bulge that affects the way light enters the eye.

How will I know I have keratoconus?

It is very common for people to find their quality of vision declines as they get older, and a higher prescription for glasses is needed every 1-2 years or more. This is effectively managed through regular visits to the optician who will also assess the health of the eye. In many cases keratoconus is only detected when it becomes more advanced, which is why it’s important to have your eyes checked regularly, especially if glasses are worn.

How is keratoconus diagnosed?

Through regular reviews of the eye, the optician may decide to investigate the eye further if keratoconus is suspected. Tests for the condition include: taking measurements of the eye, using a slit-lamp examination to look at the shape of the cornea, determining reflection of the cornea through a process called keratometry and computerised corneal mapping which takes a series of images to establish the cornea’s shape.

Treatments Spotlight

Treatment Category

Corneal Transplants

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At Prema we use a corneal transplants technique known as Endothelial Keratoplasty (EK).

Treatment Category

Implantable Contact Lens

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A patient may be considered unsuitable for laser eye surgery (usually LASIK) if they are over 40 and have a particularly high prescription.

$Refractive Lens Exchange$

Treatment Category

Refractive Lens Exchange

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Although laser eye surgery is a consideration for patients of any age, those who are over 45 may not be suitable.

Treatment Category

Corneal Transplants

At Prema we use a corneal transplants technique known as Endothelial Keratoplasty (EK).

View Treatment

Treatment Category

Implantable Contact Lens

A patient may be considered unsuitable for laser eye surgery (usually LASIK) if they are over 40 and have a particularly high prescription.

View Treatment

$Refractive Lens Exchange$

Treatment Category

Refractive Lens Exchange

Although laser eye surgery is a consideration for patients of any age, those who are over 45 may not be suitable.

View Treatment

Related Concerns

Corneal Infections

Corneal infections are common concerns that have many contributors. This type of infection specifically affects the clear lens at the front of the eye (also known as the cornea), and may cause the affected person a degree of pain and discomfort.

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