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Keratoconus

What Causes Keratoconus?

Keratoconus occurs when your cornea, the outermost clear layer of the eye, gradually thins and bulges into a cone-like shape. The main cause of this condition is repeated mechanical pressure on the cornea, either by frequent eye rubbing or a face-down sleep posture. As the light is bent in a distorted manner through the irregular cornea, those with keratoconus experience blurry vision and frequent changes in their glasses prescription. Eye rubbing, allergies and poorly fitted contact lenses are common causes of the disease.
Symptoms of keratoconus includes:
  • Blurred or distorted vision
  • Increased sensitivity to bright light and glare, which can cause problems with night driving
  • A need for frequent changes in eyeglass prescriptions, particularly where the measured astigmatism is high
  • Sudden worsening or clouding of vision
These factors can increase your chances of developing keratoconus:
  • Visual acuity test: This test will be done to assess the sharpness of your vision.
  • Keratometry: This exam involves focusing light onto the cornea and measuring the reflection. This determines the basic shape of the cornea.
  • Corneal tomography: Computerized corneal mapping to create a detailed shape map of the cornea. Corneal tomography also can measure the thickness of the cornea. This type of testing can often detect early signs of keratoconus before the disease is visible by slit-lamp examination.
  • Optical coherence tomography (OCT): An OCT scan of your macula will be performed to measure thickness of the retinal nerve fibre layer.
  • Slit-lamp examination: This test involves directing a vertical beam of light on the surface of the eye and using a low-powered microscope to view the eye. The eye doctor evaluates the shape of your cornea and looks for other potential problems in the eye.
Improving vision depends on the severity of keratoconus. Mild to moderate keratoconus can be treated with eyeglasses or contact lenses. This will likely be a long-term treatment, especially if the cornea becomes stable with time or from cross-linking.
  • Eyeglasses or soft contact lenses: Glasses or soft contact lenses can correct blurry or distorted vision in early keratoconus. But people frequently need to change their prescription for eyeglasses or contacts as the shape of their corneas change.
  • Corneal collagen cross-linking: If keratoconus is progressing, collagen cross-linking may be recommended to slow it or stop it from getting worse. This treatment aims to stabilise the structure of the cornea. It may decrease the bulging of the cornea and help achieve better vision with glasses or contact lenses. This treatment also has the potential to prevent you from needing a cornea transplant in the future.
  • Hard contact lenses: Hard contact lenses are often the next step in treating more-advanced keratoconus. Hard lenses include rigid, gas permeable types. Hard lenses may feel uncomfortable at first, but many people adjust to wearing them and they can provide excellent vision. This type of lens can be made to fit your corneas.
  • Cornea transplant: If you have corneal scarring or extreme thinning, you'll likely need a cornea transplant. Depending on your situation, your eye doctor may recommend replacing all or part of your cornea with healthy donor tissue. A cornea transplant is known as a keratoplasty.

Why Choose Us?

DR ERROL CHAN

Specialised Experience in Retinal Care

Dr Chan is a triple-Fellowship trained and experienced Ophthalmologist. He has international clinical experience from McGill University and Moorfields Eye Hospital London, and has been awarded Ophthalmology accreditation from the UK, Canada & Singapore. He specialises in diagnosing, managing and treating vitreoretinal diseases, including complex and second opinion cases.
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DR ERROL CHAN

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Our meticulous approach means that every detail is considered, from your medical history to your lifestyle needs, as we aim to provide you with the most optimal retinal care.
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DR ERROL CHAN

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A comprehensive detection of retinal tears or detachment necessitates specialised imaging equipment that are available at Ascend Eye Clinic.
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DR ERROL CHAN

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With the aim to optimally preserve your eye health as far as possible, we create personalised treatment plans that are tailored to your specific needs and vision goals.
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