The Keratoconus Center is a multidisciplinary, patient-centered clinical center of excellence devoted to state of the art care for the patient with keratoconus and related corneal ectasias. Started in Nashville, Tennessee, USA, the philosophy of The Keratoconus Center has expanded to multiple locations around the US. The Keratoconus Center is a collaboration between like-minded optometrists and ophthalmologists that believe that the best care of keratoconic patients might involve both medical (contact lens) and surgical components. It is only then that the best outcomes for patients are achieved.
Treatment options for the keratoconus and keratoectasia (post-LASIK) patient have remained fairly stagnant over the past 30 years, since the advent of GP lenses and penetrating keratoplasty surgery. However, we are currently experiencing a renaissance in both the contact lens and surgical treatments of keratoconus. New design contact lenses are more comfortable and have better optical properties than GPs of the past. New surgical procedures are impacting the natural course of the disease and offering safer and more effective surgical interventions and in the majority of the cases now avoiding corneal transplantation all together. The multidisciplinary team of contact lens specialist and corneal surgeon offers a new continuum of care for the keratoconus patient involving both contact lens and surgical management.
1) My doctor diagnosed me with keratoconus. Will I go blind from this disease?
A: Although keratoconus produces progressive changes to the cornea, or outer clear window of the eye, resulting in increasingly blurred vision, when properly managed by an eye doctor, the vast majority of people enjoy good vision with glasses, contact lenses, or surgery.
2) Is it common for people with keratoconus to require corneal transplant surgery?
A: It is uncommon for patients with keratoconus to progress to the stage where replacement of the cornea is required. Around 85% of all keratoconus patients are treated with less invasive procedures, the most common being contact lenses and more minor surgeries
3) All of my friends wearing contact lenses receive them after one or two visits with their optometrist. Why is the fitting process taking longer for me?
A: Keratoconus produces a very complex corneal shape that requires additional testing and evaluation using very specialized contact lenses. Being a progressive disease, your doctor must closely follow you and make appropriate changes when necessary during the initial fitting period and during periodic examinations thereafter.
4) I went for a LASIK evaluation and was rejected because of keratoconus. Why can’t I get LASIK surgery?
A: The procedure of LASIK surgery involves using a laser to selectively thin the cornea. In keratoconic eyes, the cornea is already too thin. If LASIK is performed on a keratoconic eye, there can be sight threatening complications.
5) Why can’t I see better with my glasses or my soft lenses?
A: Glasses and soft contact lenses are capable of treating regular astigmatism. With keratoconus, significant irregular astigmatism is created. When treated with a rigid or gas-permeable contact lens, a tear layer is created between the cornea and the contact lens, eliminating the irregular astigmatism, thus producing much improved vision. Gas-permeable lenses are available as corneal lenses, hybrid lenses, and scleral lenses. You and your doctor will decide which strategy is best for you.
6) Is keratoconus hereditary?
A: Several studies suggest that keratoconus is a complex genetic disease. However, by far, the most common presentation of a patient with keratoconus is when there is no family history of the disease. Only between 6-18% of patients with keratoconus have a family history of the disease.
Nashville
Dr. Jeffrey Sonsino
2817 West End Avenue Suite 107
Park Place Shopping Center
Nashville, TN 37203
Phone: 615.321.4EYE
Fax: 615.321.4392
Dr. Ming Wang
1803 West End Ave. Suite 1150
Nashville, TN 37203
Phone: 615.321.8881
Fax: 615.321.8874
North Chicago
Keratoconus Specialists of Illinois
360 S. Waukegan Rd. Suite A
Deerfield, IL 60015
South Chicago
Davis Eye Care Associates
4663 W. 95th St.
Oak Lawn IL 60453
Denver
Williams Vision Group
123 Madison St.
Denver, CO 80206
(303) 355-6111
