If you are experiencing problems with your vision, such as blurriness or sensitivity to light, you may need to be referred to an ophthalmologist at a hospital for diagnosis and treatment of keratoconus. Keratoconus is a condition that affects the cornea, which is the clear outer layer of the eye. It can cause the cornea to become thin and bulge into a cone-like shape, which can affect your vision and cause discomfort.
If you are referred to an ophthalmologist for keratoconus, they will conduct a series of tests to diagnose the condition and determine the best course of treatment. Treatment options for keratoconus may include prescription eyeglasses or contact lenses, or in some cases, surgery. One common surgery for keratoconus is corneal cross-linking, which involves strengthening the cornea by using a special solution and UV light.
It is important to get diagnosed and treated for keratoconus as early as possible to prevent the condition from worsening and causing further damage to your eyesight. Your ophthalmologist will work with you to create a personalised treatment plan and monitor your progress throughout the treatment period. With the right treatment, it is possible to improve your vision and prevent long-term damage to your eyes.
Keratoconus services at Blackrock Health
At Blackrock Health, we have earned a long-standing reputation for excellence in private ophthalmic medical and surgical care. This includes the diagnosis and treatment of conditions affecting the eye for both adults and children. Our Blackrock and Hermitage Clinics offer easy and speedy access to expert care in the field of Corneal Cross Linking. We have a renowned team of consultants, and we use the latest techniques and technologies. This means we can aim to provide you with a fast, accurate diagnosis and an effective and tailored treatment plan.
We understand that experiencing problems with your eye can be worrying. That is why we are committed to providing compassionate and reassuring care. Whether you need a routine check-up or a more complex procedure, we are here to help. Our team provides you with the highest standards of care and support - throughout your journey to better health.
Accessing our services
You can access Blackrock Health ophthalmology services easily with a referral from your GP and can then expect world-class clinical care and comfort. We have dedicated ophthalmic day care facilities and teams which can help you make a quicker recovery in a safe environment. We aim to provide you with the best possible outcome and to restore your quality of life..
Why I might be referred
Disorders affecting the eye can lead to a variety of symptoms. These include blurred vision, sensitivity to light and loss of vision. These symptoms may mean that you find it difficult to do everyday activities like walking, running, or climbing stairs. You may be referred to a hospital for this type of surgery by your GP if you have tried other forms of treatment and are not seeing results.
Our Team
Ophthalmology is the study and treatment of eye disorders. Our ophthalmology team treats all eye conditions.
As a Blackrock Health patient, you will be cared for by our team of consultant ophthalmologists, ophthalmic surgeons, and clinical nurse specialists. All our consultants offer care and expertise within their own ophthalmic specialties and continue to lead research in vision sciences. Many of our eye specialists also consult in major teaching and specialist hospitals such as the Royal Victoria Eye & Ear Hospital in Dublin.
This team will look after you throughout your diagnosis, treatment, and recovery.
The team includes:
Consultant ophthalmologists
Consultant ophthalmic surgeons
Ophthalmic clinical nurse specialists
Ophthalmic technicians
Optometrists
What is Keratoconus?
Keratoconus is a degenerative disorder of the eye in which structural changes within the cornea cause it to thin and change to a more conical shape than its normal gradual curve. Keratoconus can cause substantial distortion of vision, with the patient seeing multiple images, or seeing streaking of objects, or experiencing sensitivity to light. It is typically diagnosed in the patient’s adolescent years and can be most severe between the ages of 20 and 40.
If affecting both eyes, the deterioration in vision can affect the patient’s ability to drive a car or read normal print. In most cases, corrective contact lenses fitted by a specialist are effective enough to allow the patient to continue to drive legally and function normally. Further progression of the disease may require surgery, for which several options are available, including intrastromal corneal ring segments, cross-linking and in 10-15% of cases, corneal transplantation.
Keratoconus affects around one person in a thousand. It seems to occur in populations throughout the world, although it is observed more frequently in certain ethnic groups, such as South Asians. Environmental and genetic factors are considered possible causes, but the exact cause is uncertain.
Symptoms of keratoconus
Blurred vision.
Loss of vision.
Double vision.
Blurry vision.
Eye strain.
Sensitivity to bright light.
Night blindness.
Colour blindness.
Types of Keratoconus
Mild keratoconus
In the early stages, keratoconus may cause mild irregular astigmatism and slight corneal steepening. Visual symptoms may be minimal, and glasses or soft contact lenses may provide adequate correction.
Moderate keratoconus
As keratoconus progresses, corneal thinning and steepening become more noticeable. Visual symptoms, such as blurred or distorted vision, glare, and sensitivity to light, may worsen. Rigid gas permeable (RGP) contact lenses are often required for better vision correction.
Progressive keratoconus
The corneal thinning and bulging characteristic of the condition continue to worsen over time. In progressive keratoconus, the shape of the cornea becomes increasingly irregular, leading to worsening visual symptoms such as blurred or distorted vision, sensitivity to light, glare, and difficulty with night vision.
Advanced keratoconus
In advanced stages of keratoconus, the cornea becomes significantly thin and irregular, resulting in severe visual impairment. Scarring may develop on the cornea, further impacting vision. RGP lenses or specialized contact lenses such as scleral lenses may be necessary for visual improvement. In some cases, corneal transplantation may be considered if vision cannot be adequately corrected with contact lenses.
Post-LASIK Ectasia
In some cases, keratoconus-like changes can occur after LASIK or other corneal refractive surgeries. This condition, known as post-LASIK ectasia, involves corneal thinning and bulging, leading to progressive visual deterioration.
Corneal Collagen Cross-Linking
This is a technique which uses UV light and a photosensitiser to strengthen chemical bonds in the cornea. The goal of the treatment is to halt the progressive and irregular changes in corneal shape, which are known as ectasia. These ectatic changes are typically marked by corneal thinning and an increase in the anterior and/or posterior curvatures of the cornea, and often lead to high levels of myopia (short-sightedness) and astigmatism (abnormal curvature).
The most common form of ectasia is keratoconus. In the cornea, collagen cross-linking occurs naturally with aging. It has been hypothesized that this natural cross-linkage of collagen explains why keratoconus (corneal ectasia) often progresses most rapidly in adolescence or early adulthood but tends to stabilize in patients after middle-age
What can you expect during the procedure
This is a non-invasive outpatient procedure. Drops are applied to numb the surface of the eyes, so that your ophthalmologist can painlessly remove the outer layer of the cornea. Then
Vitamin B (riboflavin) medicine is applied, and UV light is directed at the cornea. The UV light activates the Vitamin B, which allows new bonds to "cross-link" between the collagen in your cornea.
After the procedure, your eye will be covered by a bandage, and you may need to use steroid and/or antibiotic drops
Please note that we do not offer an emergency service for eye health issues. If you have the following symptoms, you should call 112 or 999:
- Sudden or severe eye pain
- Loss of sight
- Lots of flashing lights
- Chemicals in your eye
- Severe eye trauma
How do I get this?
You will need a referral letter from your GP, optician or consultant before you make an appointment.
Is this insured?
Not all services are covered by health insurance. To find out if you're covered, please check your health insurance before your visit. You can do this on our health insurance cover check page, or by contacting your health insurer.
How do I pay?
If you do not have health insurance or your health plan does not cover the full cost, you will need to pay the balance due before your treatment or procedure. You may be able to claim back some fees on your insurance. To pay an excess not covered by your insurance or any other inpatient fees, please visit our payment page. If you have any queries about paying for your care, please contact the finance team in your hospital.
