What can I do for keratoconus?

By Andrew Doan, MD, PhD

Question from a reader: I have keratoconus, and I don't want to go through a cornea transplant because I am a professional athlete. I don't want to end my career. At the moment, I am not wearing any glasses. The vision in my right eye is good, but my left eye vision is really bad. I tried rigid gas permeable contact lenses before, but I can not get used to them. I have not had any eye surgeries. What are my options?

Dr. Doan's Response:

Dear Professional Athlete:

You definitely need a check up to determine your level of vision loss in the left eye.

First, I recommend that you try the rigid contact lenses again. Refitting for a new rigid contact lens may help you find one that's more comfortable. You can try a piggy-back technique where you wear a soft lens under the rigid lens. However, if you have too much corneal ectasia and irregularity, contact lenses may not work.

Depending on the degree of keratoconus, Intacs may be an option. The device is inserted in the cornea. Some studies suggest there may be some slowing of disease progression with Intacs or with the use of rigid contact lenses.

Finally, the last resort is a corneal transplant. Depending on your profession, this may or may not end your career.

Andrew Doan, MD, PhD