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Keratoconus

Keratoconus is a common cause of blurred eyesight in younger people. This page tells you how we diagnose and treat it.

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What is Keratoconus?
Causes
Symptoms
Treatments
Procedures
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What is Keratoconus?

The clear front window of the eye is called the cornea. It focuses light into the eye. Keratoconus is thinning and distortion of the cornea, which causes blurring of eyesight. We can diagnose keratoconus by finding changes in the appearance of the cornea on microscope examination in some cases, but in many patients other tests are required to detect it. We can detect the effects of keratoconus by measuring the way the eye focuses (refraction) and analyzing the shape and thickness of the cornea in great detail (topography).

Causes

Keratoconus is becoming more and more common, especially in younger people. There is strong evidence that a habit of rubbing the eyes can cause it. Eye rubbing in turn is common in people who spend a lot of time using computers, smartphones and tablets.

However, this is not the full story :

It can run in families suggesting a genetic link.

It is more common in people who have severe allergies.

It is also more common in people who have very flexible joints and some rare skin and connective tissue conditions.

People with Down’s syndrome are also prone to keratoconus.

Symptoms

Vision becomes increasingly blurred and glasses don’t seem to quite clear up the blur.  Sometimes even with glasses, vision remains blurred and even slightly doubled.  It is usually an optician who suspects that keratoconus is developing.

Occasionally, one or other eye may suddenly become extra blurred, red and swollen.  This is called “hydrops” and appears to be brought on by vigorous eye rubbing. When this happens, the diagnosis of keratoconus is usually made in the eye casualty department of a hospital.

Treatments

We will try to help you to stop rubbing your eyes, if you do this, with the aid of soothing eye drops.

To help you to see clearly, you will probably need to be fitted with contact lenses. Depending upon your condition, these may be soft or hard (rigid gas permeable).

If your condition continues to worsen, as it often does, we will advise collagen cross linkage to stabilise it.

Excimer laser treatment can be used in selected cases to improve vision in keratoconus, and this is often combined with collagen cross linkage.

In some cases, vision can be improved by inserting tiny plastic implants between the corneal layers (Kerarings™).

Corneal transplantation was in the past the mainstay of treatment for keratoconus. Using the treatments listed above it can be avoided in most cases.

Procedures

Corneal topography

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Corneal Collagen Cross-Linking

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Corneal transplantation through NHS Blood and Tissue.

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MY Eye Clinic
MY Eye Clinic
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First class recommendation for My Eye Clinic and in particular Andrew Peel who was professional, knowledgeable very thorough. A pleasure to deal with!
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Dawn RaffleDawn Raffle
19:10 21 Feb 24
I recently had permanent lens procedure carried out by Mr Ghosh. Having glasses as a child and contact lenses for many years, this has been an absolute revelation for me. Mr Ghosh was absolutely brilliant and very professional from the start. All the staff are lovely and especially like to thank Dianne, Anita and the team. This has changed my life for the better thanks.
Anis FinnAnis Finn
09:35 29 Mar 23
Beautiful clinic, really nice atmosphere, prompt service and really friendly and professional staff. Fernando was particularly great!I would definitely recommend.
Mrs TigerMrs Tiger
17:51 17 Jan 23
Excellent care, all staff very courteous and helpful. YAG surgery clearly explained to me by Mr Morgan, who did a brilliant job. I'd highly recommend this clinic.
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14:43 22 Dec 22
Good location
Audrey GilesAudrey Giles
08:58 23 Nov 22
I visited the My Hearing Clinic knowing I needed a hearing assessment but thinking it was just a build up of wax. It came as a shock that I heard a hearing loss which needed addressing. The service I received from Andrew was outstanding! He explained my hearing loss and went through all my options. He recognised that it was a lot of information to take in so made a follow up appointment, giving me sufficient time to think about what I wanted to do. From start to finish the service has been excellent, efficient, professional and friendly from the moment you walk through the door and meet Lee. The clinic is well located, parking on site, high standard of cleanliness. Definitely a recommendation from me. Thank you!
Andrea BoothAndrea Booth
19:55 22 Nov 22
Absolutely first class treatment and experience at this wonderful clinic. Staff were exceptionally welcoming and friendly Mr Morgan the consultant was lovely explaining everything. I had YAG laser treatment painless no discomfort and almost immediate corrected vision. Thank you all so very very much.
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16:41 17 Nov 21
Visited clinic today with a totally blocked left ear. Had micro suction to remove a huge build up of ear wax. It was over in minutes. Excellent, efficient and friendly service from start to finish. Would recommend 100% Worth every penny!
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