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Mini-ARK involves peripheral partial thickness radial incisions near the edge of the cornea where it is steep to flatten the cornea locally. A guarded diamond blade is used. Sometimes this is very successful, but it may cause quite a lot of glare and halos early on, which tends to settle with time.
I don't much fancy that one - that would look a bit freaky!
Many people with keratoconus are very happy with Scleral lenses. They are often quite scary to look at for the first time, as they are much larger than other contact lenses, typically being about 25mm in diameter.
Intacs are thin plastic, semi-circular rings inserted into the mid layer of the cornea. When inserted in the keratoconus cornea they flatten the cornea, changing the shape and location of the cone. The placement of Intacs remodels and reinforces the cornea, eliminating some or all of the irregularities caused by keratoconus in order to provide improved vision. This can improve uncorrected vision, however, depending on the severity of the KC, glasses or contact lenses may still be needed for functional vision. For more information go to: www.intacsforkeratoconus.com
Originally posted by slidebyem
Damon,
The treatment mainly depends on how bad your visual acuities are and what visual acuity you can tolerate.
Typically, treatment is with RGP contact lenses. Several companies have specialty contact lenses for keratoconus, of which I am sure you have tried several.
If you find RGP's too uncomfortable, you may ask about Synergeyes (soft contact lens with an rigid center... more comfortable) or piggyback fitting of RGPs.
Intact are the current treatment being pushed by OMD's. It is "reversible" however post intact surgery patients are typically a pain in the rear to fit with an RGP, so you better hope it turns out right, or you'll have blurry vision with contacts after.
Collagen cross linking is the new kid on the block. Not approved yet in the USA. Clinical testing is very promising.
The bottom line is, if you are comfortable with the comfort/vision of your RGP's i would not change. Corneal transplant should be the last option. Of course, pretty much standard if you go to corneal hydrops. And pred forte drops make your eyes feel better.. I dont know what your talking about!
oh yeah, and the research about coming from a parasite? bogus.
5. Eye exercises: The first time I heard about eye exercises, I saw an article in the newspaper on Meir Schneider who had previously been blind but restored his sight enough through eye exercises so that he was able to obtain a driver’s license. His DVD, “Yoga For Eyes,” came with an eye chart, so I was able to test my before and after vision. At the end of the first session, I was able to read one line higher on the eye chart. My doctor is a staunch advocate of eye exercises.
Originally posted by _damon
Special contact lenses or not, its the same, useless. Lenses, as i said, are more dangerous for the eye than to do nothing. Even the ophtalmologists i met told me it was risked to put on contact lenses when the disease is in last stage. Personally, i think contact lenses are useless for a keratoconus. Because: it makes it develop faster. Of course the eyesight is better, thats the only advantage of these lenses.
I dont care how bad is my eyesight, what i want is to heal. Im not the kind that accept something so called incurable and that satisfied with a temporary crutch such lenses. I don't believe in inevitability.
About cross linking, sorry to disappoint you but it works only for minor keratoconus. And of what i heard about it, never i will choose this option.
About the drops, it causes long term bad side effects such cataract or glaucoma. These drops are needed to avoid a rejection when you do a corneal transplant.
"and the research about coming from a parasite? bogus" As if you know anything about it...