Best Doctors for Keratoconus in Hyderabad

Types/Stages of Keratoconus

Keratoconus is classified based on the severity and location of corneal bulging:

• Forme Fruste Keratoconus: This mild form suggests either a very early-stage disease or a condition that has already stopped progressing.

• Nipple Cone: Severe vision distortion is caused by a small bulge at or very near the centre of the cornea.

• Oval Cone: The most common form, featuring a larger bulging area typically located inferiorly on the cornea.

• Keratoglobus: A rare type where the entire cornea thins and bulges forward, impacting vision significantly.

• Posterior Keratoconus: An exceedingly rare condition where only the inner surface of the cornea is abnormally thin.

Symptoms of Keratoconus

Keratoconus presents with a diverse array of symptoms, including:

• Blurry or distorted vision

• Nearsightedness (myopia)

• Irregular astigmatism

• Increased sensitivity to light and glare

• Corneal swelling

• Eye strain and irritation

• Poor night vision

• Halos or streaks around lights

• Eye redness or itching

Tests to Diagnose Keratoconus

At Apollo Hospitals, Hyderabad, the best doctors specialising in keratoconus treatment diagnose the condition using the following diagnostic tests:

• Visual Acuity Test: This standard eye exam measures your ability to read letters or symbols on an eye chart, and diagnoses conditions like nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism.

• Slit-Lamp Examination: A slit-lamp microscope is used to examine the front of the eye, including the cornea, to assess for signs of keratoconus such as corneal thinning, scarring, or irregularities.

• Corneal Topography: This imaging test creates a detailed 3D image to map the cornea’s surface and detect minor irregularities in the cornea’s shape that may indicate keratoconus.

• Pachymetry: This non-invasive test measures the thickness of the cornea.

• Retinoscopy: By observing the reflection of light in the eye, this test helps detect characteristic scissor-like reflex patterns associated with keratoconus.

Treatment or Surgery Options for Keratoconus at Apollo Hospitals, Hyderabad

At Apollo Hospitals in Hyderabad, specialists treating Keratoconus provide personalised treatment options tailored to individual needs and condition severity:

• Glasses or Soft Contact Lenses: Used in the early stages of keratoconus for vision correction.

• Rigid Gas Permeable Lenses: Specialised contact lenses are often used for vision correction as the condition progresses, providing better visual acuity and comfort.

• Corneal Collagen Cross-Linking: This is a minimally invasive procedure aimed at strengthening the cornea and halting the progression of keratoconus.

• Corneal transplantation: In advanced stages, this surgical procedure may be necessary to restore vision by replacing the damaged cornea with healthy donor tissue.

• Intacs: These small, semi-circular plastic inserts are surgically placed in the cornea to flatten the cone-shaped bulge and improve vision.