Keratoconus Risk Factors
Keratoconus is a progressive eye condition in which the cornea, which protects the eye and helps light focus correctly, bulges outward. Keratoconus usually begins to show up in your teens or early adulthood, but the condition can also start in childhood. The cause of keratoconus is unknown, but it has been linked to certain conditions and it is also related to frequent eye rubbing. The following may be associated with keratoconus:
- Asthma
- Down syndrome
- Atopic dermatitis
- Certain congenital disorders that impact the eye
Symptoms
Keratoconus symptoms typically affect both eyes, but it is possible for vision to be worse in one eye. Other symptoms include double vision, halos, light sensitivity, and vision that slowly becomes distorted. Potential complications associated with this eye condition include:
- Corneal scarring
- Corneal swelling
- Iron deposits that cause rings within the cornea
- Severe vision loss
Treatment with iLink™ Corneal Cross-Linking
Mark Mandel, MD may recommend iLink™ treatment to keratoconus patients. This procedure is performed on an outpatient basis and involves ultraviolet light and specially formulated vitamin B2 eye drops to reinforce corneas that have been weakened by the effects of keratoconus. After the eyes are numbed to ensure your comfort, the cornea’s outer layer is removed, allowing the eye drop to be delivered deep into the cornea. After, a beam of UV light is then focused onto the cornea and activates the vitamin B2 that has been applied to the cornea. This combination helps generate bonds between the collagen fibers in the cornea.
Recovery
A clear contact lens will be placed in your eye, and you will be given special eye drops to assist your healing. As you recover, it is important to avoid eye rubbing, water in the eye, makeup, strenuous exercise, and dust-filled environments. Vision is expected to improve as soon as two weeks after the procedure.
Schedule Your Consultation Today
Mark Mandel, MD, and his team are ready to help you achieve and maintain eye health. To schedule your iLink™ Corneal Cross-Linking consultation at one of our locations in Hayward, Castro Valley, San Jose, and Concord, contact us today. Call our office at 877-210-2020 ext. 3 or book an appointment online today using our convenient web form.