Keratoconus is a degenerative or progressive disorder that affects the cornea. The cornea is the clear membrane that covers the colored part of the eye and pupil. The cornea is the “window” of the eye and is the most powerful lens in the eye as well. Keratoconus is a corneal disease that causes structural changes within the cornea which cause the cornea to thin and bulge outward into a steeper, irregular, more conical shape than its normal gradual curve.
Keratoconus can cause substantial visual loss of vision, image distortion, streaking of lights, sensitivity to light, and multiple images, etc. Keratoconus affects approximately one person in a thousand. However, the exact cause of keratoconus is uncertain. It has been linked to genetic factors and associated with detrimental abnormal enzyme activity in the cornea. However, the findings are still inconclusive.
Many patients with keratoconus may be treated with corrective lenses, glasses, contact lenses, intrastromal corneal ring segments, and as a last resort, corneal transplantation. In order to stabilize the cornea, keep the keratoconus from progressing and even avoid having to have a corneal transplant, many patients now have chosen to travel around the world to have corneal collagen crosslinking, also known as "CXL."
At Eye Care Center, we proudly announce that we work closely with the world-class experts in the field of keratoconus. At our office in College Station, we maintain extensive diagnostic technology to diagnose and track the progression of keratoconus. When surgical intervention is needed, we work with our colleagues in Houston at Slade & Baker Vision Center. As leaders in the field, Slade & Baker were the first FDA Approved site for clinical trial in Houston, Texas and are still currently involved in this study. Our patients in the Bryan / College Station participated in this cutting edge study and are still seeing excellent results today.
If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with keratoconus and you live in or near the Houston area, please feel free to contact us for more information. We encourage you to visit our Crosslinking page for more information on this procedure and its wonderful results.
