What is Keratoconus?

Keratoconus is an eye condition in which the cornea is misshapen and tapers forward to form a cone-shaped protrusion. The cornea is the transparent, dome-shaped layer at the very front of the eye. This abnormal shape of the cornea prevents the light coming into the eye from focusing correctly, resulting in blurred and distorted vision. This makes daily activities such as reading and driving difficult. Keratoconus does not cause permanent blindness and can be controlled with various treatment methods.

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What are the Symptoms of Keratoconus?

The symptoms of keratoconus disease are not yet fully known. However, in some cases, it has been observed that the disease is inherited and passed on from the mother or father. Approximately 1 in 10 people with keratoconus have parents with the disease. Usually, keratoconus appears in the late teens or early 20s.

Vision problems gradually worsen over about 10 to 20 years. Some claims suggest that poor quality contact lenses may be a possible cause of keratoconus, but this has not yet been proven. The corneas of people with a predisposition to keratoconus can be easily damaged by even minor trauma, such as eye rubbing. Therefore, it is very important not to rub your eyes if you have keratoconus.

How is Keratoconus Surgery Performed?

Keratoconus surgery varies depending on the symptoms and progression stage of the disease. In the early stages, visual impairment can be corrected with glasses. But as the disease progresses, you may need to wear special hard contact lenses to get a clear view.

There are other methods used to treat keratoconus. In a surgical procedure, the curvature of the cornea can be corrected by inserting small curved devices into the cornea. Your ophthalmologist may also use a special UV light and eye drops to strengthen the cornea. Keratoconus surgery causes the cornea to flatten or harden, helping to prevent it from bulging further.

What are the Risks of Keratoconus Surgery?

Keratoconus surgery is one of the most effective methods to improve the visual impairment of keratoconus patients. However, as with all surgical procedures, keratoconus surgery carries some risks. Here are the risks of keratoconus surgery:

Risk of eye infection: Eye infections can occur after surgery and these infections can lead to serious complications.
Risk of eye pressure: Eye pressure may increase after surgery, which should be monitored carefully.
Risk of inflammation in the eye: Inflammation is another potential risk in the postoperative period.
Risk of recurrence of corneal structure disorder: There is a possibility that the surgically corrected corneal structure may deteriorate again over time.
Loss of vision: In rare cases, vision loss may occur after surgery.
Double vision (diplopia): Some patients may experience double vision after surgery.
Hypersensitivity to light: After surgery, the eyes may become more sensitive to light.

If you are considering keratoconus surgery, it is important to talk to your ophthalmologist to get detailed information about these risks. Your doctor can explain in more detail the risks specific to you and whether surgery is suitable for you.

Incidence of Keratoconus

The incidence of keratoconus is quite high. This condition is an eye disease that occurs in one out of every 2 thousand people. The most important factor in the emergence of this disease is genetic predisposition. The likelihood of keratoconus increases especially in children who have vernal conjunctivitis in childhood and rub their eyes constantly. Allergic background and the habit of frequent eye rubbing significantly increase the risk of developing the disease.

Keratoconus Ring Treatment

Keratoconus ring treatment can be a good alternative method when contact lenses are not possible or uncomfortable for keratoconus patients. If keratoconus is not advanced, treatment can be performed under local anesthesia by inserting intra-corneal rings (INTACS, Keraring, Ferrara) into the channels opened in the cornea in seconds with Femtosecond Laser.

Keratoconus ring treatment is an effective method in the treatment of corneal disorders. Keratoconus is a disease that causes the cornea to thin and take a conical shape. As this condition progresses, there can be a serious decrease in the quality of vision. Corneal rings stabilize the shape of the cornea, helping to improve the quality of vision. In this way, it slows the progression of the disease. This method is particularly effective in the early and middle stages of the disease and can significantly improve the quality of life of patients.

Keratoconus Surgery Results

Keratoconus surgery results allow patients to get rid of multiple eye defects. In this way, patients who say goodbye to the use of glasses or contact lenses get the appearance they desire. Those who have keratoconus surgery undergo a painless treatment process. Patients who follow the doctor’s recommendations after the surgery, which is completed in a short time, can resume their normal lives after a short time.

After Keratoconus Surgery

There are important points to be considered after keratoconus surgery. After this procedure, regular examinations and topographic examinations are performed. If corneal thinning persists, your doctor may recommend a repeat keratoconus surgery.

If you experience any of the following symptoms after keratoconus surgery, you should contact your doctor immediately:

Recovery time after keratoconus surgery can vary from person to person. Strictly following your ophthalmologist’s instructions throughout this process will have a major impact on your recovery. Being in constant communication with your doctor facilitates the follow-up of the healing process and ensures that possible complications are diagnosed in a timely manner. Thus, the necessary treatment can be administered quickly and a healthy recovery can be ensured.

Keratoconus Lens Costs

Another curious issue about keratoconus treatment is the cost of this operation. Keratoconus lens costs may vary depending on the procedure applied and the health institution where the procedure is performed.

Individuals considering this method should consider their own health status and risk factors. Therefore, it is important to have a detailed consultation with a specialist. The information and support you will receive from health institutions and experts will help you make the best decision about keratoconus lens costs.