keratoconus through the eyes of a patient

BY GARY G. ABUD, JR.

P I C T U R E S C O U RT E S Y O F W W W. KC V I S I O N. O R G

Keratoconus

Keratoconus

KC is a progressive and degenerative disease of the cornea

Vision is affected in several ways simultaneously, including ghosting, blurring, double vision, and a haloing effect

Both genetic factors and mechanical strain have been hypothesized to lead to the disease

Course of treatment varies from mild KC (glasses) to moderate KC (special contact lenses) to severe KC (transplantation of cornea, in part or whole)

What Keratoconus (KC) Does to the Cornea

A Normally Seen (20/20) Parking Sign

Parking Sign: Mild Keratoconus

Parking Sign: Advanced Keratoconus

Keratoconus Causes Double Vision

The Eye Chart

Slight Image Distortion with Mild KC

Normal View of Building without Glare

Glare: Mild Keratoconus

Glare: Moderate Keratoconus

Glare: Advanced Keratoconus

KC Causes A Halo Effect Around Night Lights

Keratoconus Makes Night Driving Difficult

Sometimes Night Driving is Impossible

The Moon Seen Normally

Double Vision: Moderate Keratoconus

Double Vision: Advanced Keratoconus

A Clear Image of a Navy Plane

“Ghosting” of Image: Very Mild KC

“Ghosting” of Image: Mild KC

“Ghosting” of Image: Moderate KC

“Ghosting” of Image: Advanced KC

“Ghosting” of Image: Very Advanced KC

Keratoconus Causes All of These Symptoms

• There is no way to treat symptoms individually.

• Glasses can help in early stages

• Hard contact lenses must be worn as KC progresses, but then lens fitting is difficult

• Eventually, the only alternative is surgery a cornea transplant

GlareGhostingDistortionHalo EffectDouble VisionPoor Night Vision

A Cornea Transplant Can Replace the Diseased Keratoconus Cornea, but Recovering Useful Vision Takes

Time

Cornea Transplant Vision: 2 Days After

Cornea Transplant Vision: 1 Month After

Cornea Transplant Vision: 2 Months After

Cornea Transplant Vision: 4 Months After

Cornea Transplant Vision: 6 Months After

The Clear Image

Treatment Success

The success of any form of treatment depends on the progression of the disease

Corneal transplantation, although highly successful, is reserved for the more severe cases

The transplanted cornea, once fully healed, can give rise to vastly improved vision compared to pre-transplantation keratoconus vision

Many new techniques in transplantation and contact lens fitting make treating keratoconus much more manageable

G. ABUD2011

Keratoconus