Misconceptions You Should Know Before Opting For Keratoconus Treatment In Mumbai

Keratoconus is the condition that progressively alters the shape of the cornea and causes its thinning. As keratoconus is a serious condition that may alter the vision to an extent that patient may not be able to perform routine activities, diagnosis and treatment should be preferred at the best keratoconus hospital In India.

Various misconception floats around regarding treatment of keratoconus. The patient should bust these misconceptions before getting treated with this condition.

Busting Misconceptions About Keratoconus

Misconception:  Keratoconus results in Blindness

Misconception Buster: Keratoconus is the condition that does not cause blindness. However, it changes the shape of the cornea to such an extent that the vision of the patient gets degraded. Keratoconus may alter the vision in some patient to the level that they are not able to perform regular activities. Advanced keratoconus results in scarring of eyes and the patient may not be able to wear contact lenses. A corneal transplant may be required when other options fail to provide adequate vision.

Misconception: Progression of Keratoconus is prevented by contact lenses

Misconception Buster: Some patients think that once they started wearing contact lenses, the progression of keratoconus comes to halt. This is not true. Contact lenses do not offer a permanent solution for keratoconus. The clarity in vision is improved by contact lenses. Contact lenses with poor fitting may even worsen the condition.

Misconception: Patient’s vision may be improved by collagen cross-linking

Misconception Buster: Collagen cross-linking is an effective treatment to prevent the progression of keratoconus. Patient’s vision is not improved by collagen cross-linking. For improving the vision, your doctor may advise you to wear contact lenses. It is to be noted that collagen cross-linking is highly effective in preventing the progression of keratoconus in the active stage.

Misconception: Untreated glaucoma may lead to keratoconus

Misconception buster: Glaucoma is a serious condition that leads to blindness. This condition is characterized by optic nerve damage due to increased intraocular pressure. Some cases of keratoconus may be linked to glaucoma, however, not all the cases of glaucoma results in keratoconus.

Misconception: Only treatment for keratoconus is a corneal transplant

Misconception buster: Corneal transplant is not the only treatment for keratoconus. Many corneal transplant surgeons advise you for corneal transplant as if there is no other treatment available. Keratoconus can be managed by various treatment options such as wearing contact lenses for clear vision and collagen cross-linking for stopping the progression of the disease.

Misconception: Keratoconic cornea is kept at the place by hard contact lenses

Misconception buster: Hard contact lenses do not stop the progression of the disease. The hard contact lens that exerts much pressure on the cornea will lead to scarring and pain. Hard contact lens is just like a cover over the cornea. If the size of cornea changes, you may require a new contact lens.

Misconception: Only young people suffers from keratoconus

Misconception buster: Age is not a criterion for evaluating the risk of occurrence of keratoconus. Keratoconus may develop in young as well as in the adult. Once suffered from keratoconus, the condition is more likely to progress in young patients as compared to older patients. 1 in 500 people suffers from this condition and is also found in people who are in their 40s or 50s.

Misconception: Crosslinking cause cataract to develop sooner and is a painful process

Misconception buster: Painful collagen cross-linking is the thing of past. With advanced technology and most modern techniques, collagen cross-linking is no longer painful. Modern techniques allow a single day recovery. There is no evidence to show that collagen cross-linking results in an early occurrence of cataract. 

Misconception: Intrastromal corneal ring segment alone stabilize keratoconus

Misconception buster: When the clarity of vision is not achieved by contact lenses and prescription glasses in keratoconus, Intacs (Intrastromal corneal ring segment) is inserted in the cornea. This device for managing keratoconus has also been approved by USFDA. However, the device is not effective in providing strength to the collagen fibers. For this, collagen cross-linking is required. A combination of Intrastromal corneal ring segment and collagen cross-linking effectively prevents the progression and improves vision clarity.

Misconception: Advanced keratoconus cannot be treated without a corneal transplant

Misconception buster: Various treatment options are available for treating moderate to advanced keratoconus. Corneal transplant is advised when all the other non-invasive and invasive treatment options get exhausted. With the advanced knowledge in collagen cross-linking and Intrastromal corneal ring segment, people who were advised corneal transplant in the past, can effectively get back vision clarity and prevent progression.