Surgical options
Customised laser eye surgery for keratoconus
Keratoconus and corneal ectasias cause the cornea to become irregular, degrading the quality of vision. Laser technological advancements and highly-detailed scanning techniques now enable customised surface laser eye surgery to improve the shape of your cornea, improving the quality of vision. These treatments aim to repair the shape, improving your quality of vision in glasses. Following these treatments, performing other procedures to reduce your dependence on glasses or contact lenses may be possible.
Contact us for more information or find out if you are suitable.
Intrastromal ring segments
Ring segments can be inserted into the cornea to provide additional structural support, improving the shape and vision. These structural segments can be made from biological tissue, more closely matching your cornea (CAIRS - Corneal allogenic intrastromal ring segments) or plastic (Keraring, Intacs). One or two ring segments are customised for each eye to optimise their effect.
Intrastomal ring segment surgery can be combined with customised laser eye surgery or even other procedures to further improve the quality of vision or even potentially reduce your dependence on glasses or contact lenses.
Corneal transplant
Corneal transplantation has been the mainstay of treatment for decades. More recently it is reserved as a last resort because more less invasive methods to rehabilitate the vision are available. The visual outcomes and long-term success remain unchanged and it continues to be a great method to rehabilitate more advanced eyes, or those with scars preventing alternative methods. The two most common types of corneal graft used in keratoconus are;
Deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK) - here only the front layers of the cornea are replaced preserving your own internal endothelial cells. This has structural benefits and reduces the risk of transplant rejection.
Penetrating keratoplasty (PK) - this replaces all five layers of the cornea. This was the orignial method of performing corneal transplants. It remains a good option for people with full thickness scars or those who may have suffered corneal hydrops.