Best Keratoconus Doctors in Lucknow

Keratoconus is a progressive eye disorder where the cornea, which is usually round, thins and begins to bulge into a cone-like shape. This results in blurred and distorted vision. The exact cause remains uncertain, but it is understood to be a combination of genetic and environmental factors leading to this condition.

Fortunately, Apollo Hospitals in Lucknow have some of the best doctors for keratoconus, offering top-tier diagnostic and treatment services. The subsequent sections will delve into the stages, symptoms, diagnostic tests, and treatment options for keratoconus.

Types/Stages of Keratoconus

There exist two major stages of keratoconus:

• Early Keratoconus: Characterised by mild corneal thinning and irregular astigmatism producing slight vision troubles which can be corrected with glasses or soft contact lenses.

• Moderate Keratoconus: It is possible to see corneal alterations and a rise in corneal distortion that are typical of keratoconus.

• Advanced Keratoconus: Marked by significant corneal thinning and irregular astigmatism which leads to severe vision impairment that cannot be completely corrected with glasses or soft contact lenses.

• Severe Keratoconus: Severe corneal thinning and scarring, as well as dramatic distortion.

Symptoms of Keratoconus

Keratoconus manifests itself through several symptoms such as:

• Blurred or distorted vision

• Increased sensitivity to glare and light

• Frequent changes in eyeglass or contact lens prescriptions

• Double vision in one eye

• Eye strain or eye fatigue

Tests to Diagnose Keratoconus

At Apollo Hospitals in Lucknow, doctors use several tests to diagnose keratoconus including:

• Slit-lamp examination: Allows the doctor to observe structures at the front of your eyes under magnification.

• Corneal topography: Provides the doctor with a detailed shape map of your cornea's surface.

• Optical coherence tomography: Captures images of your cornea to measure its thickness.

• Refraction test: This helps the doctor determine the correct prescription strength for your glasses or contact lenses.

Treatment or Surgery Options for Keratoconus at Apollo Hospitals, Lucknow

The best treatment for keratoconus varies depending on the stage and severity of the condition. Apollo Hospitals in Lucknow offers several treatment options including:

• Glasses or soft contact lenses: Used in the early stages of keratoconus to correct mild vision problems.

• Rigid gas permeable (RGP) contact lenses: These are used in advanced stages of keratoconus to improve vision by compensating for the irregular shape of the cornea.

• Corneal collagen cross-linking (CXL): This procedure uses riboflavin (vitamin B2) and ultraviolet light to strengthen and stabilise the cornea, slowing or halting keratoconus progression.

• Intrastromal corneal ring segments (ICRS): These are small, curved plastic inserts placed into the cornea to flatten the cone shape and enhance vision.

• Corneal transplant (keratoplasty): In severe cases when other treatments are ineffective, a surgical procedure is performed where the central part of the patient's cornea is replaced with donor corneal tissue.