Treatments

Keratoconus Treatments

Early and regular treatment for keratoconus is important for maintaining your vision. Early treatment includes using glasses and contact lenses to correct your vision. As the disease progresses, treatments may include:

• Rigid gas permeable lenses: Gas permeable lenses are able to correct vision by reshaping the cornea. They may need to be updated frequently as your prescription changes.
• Piggyback contact lenses: Rigid gas permeable lenses are paired with soft lenses to cushion and center the rigid lens so it is well fitted on your cornea.
• Scleral lenses: These larger gas permeable lenses rest on the white part of your eye for greater comfort when your cornea is inflamed.
• Corneal inserts: These surgically implanted lenses help reshape the cornea.
• Laser therapy: Your physician can use lasers to remove abnormalities of the corneal surface.
• Surgery: A surgeon can either replace the inner layer of your cornea or the entire cornea. In both cases, the healthy corneal tissue is transplanted from a donor.

Preventing keratoconus

As a hereditary condition, keratoconus is difficult to prevent, but these steps may help delay its appearance or progression:

• Wear sunglasses and hats to reduce exposure to UV radiation
• Make sure contact lenses are well fitted
• Get treatment for eye discomfort and irritation
• Avoid rubbing your eyes