Keratoconus

Early detection and comprehensive management of progressive corneal thinning.

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General description

Keratoconus is a progressive condition in which the cornea thins and adopts an irregular conical shape, causing irregular astigmatism and vision loss. We have the Sirius Plus high-technology system to detect it with high-precision corneal tomography at early stages and define the most appropriate treatment for each case.

What does treatment involve?

Your case is evaluated by our corneal specialist, who determines the most appropriate treatment based on the stage and progression of your keratoconus. Options include:

Scleral contact lenses

Scleral lenses are larger-diameter rigid contact lenses that rest on the sclera (the white part of the eye) without touching the irregular cornea, creating a uniform optical surface over a layer of tears. They're an excellent option to improve vision in mild to moderate keratoconus without surgery, and are usually better tolerated than conventional contact lenses.

Corneal crosslinking

Crosslinking strengthens the cornea's collagen fibers using riboflavin and controlled ultraviolet light, halting keratoconus progression when detected early. Learn more about this procedure.

Intrastromal corneal ring segments (ICRS)

Intrastromal ring segments are small segments implanted within the thickness of the cornea to flatten and regularize its shape, improving vision and, in many cases, contact lens tolerance. It's an outpatient, reversible procedure, since the rings can be removed or adjusted if needed.

CAIRS (corneal allogenic intrastromal ring segments)

CAIRS is a newer alternative to synthetic rings: instead of an artificial material, segments of donor corneal tissue are implanted within the cornea, with the same goal of flattening and regularizing its shape. Because it's biological tissue, it integrates naturally and is an interesting option for thinner corneas that aren't candidates for conventional rings.

Toric ICL

When keratoconus is stable and the patient has high myopia and/or astigmatism that can't be comfortably corrected with glasses, a toric ICL —a phakic intraocular lens with astigmatism correction— can be implanted to significantly improve vision without touching the cornea. It's a reversible procedure, since the lens can be removed or replaced if needed.

In very advanced cases where none of these options are enough, corneal transplant remains a safe, effective alternative. Learn more about corneal transplant.

Care during treatment

Care depends on the treatment chosen for your case: scleral lenses and toric ICL don't require rest; crosslinking, intrastromal rings, CAIRS, and transplant are surgical procedures with corresponding post-surgical care (relative rest, antibiotic drops, and lubricant), and we include, at no cost, the post-surgical kit with starter treatment drops.

Follow-up

Keratoconus follow-up is ongoing, since it's a progressive condition; that's why the same Dr. Ned Davila Avila, our cornea specialist who evaluated your case, always follows up, with periodic tomography scans to confirm the cornea remains stable. We include one month of follow-up consultations at no cost after any procedure.

How do you know if you might have keratoconus?

Keratoconus tends to progress silently. It's worth getting evaluated if you notice any of these signs:

Your prescription has changed several times in a short period, or new glasses stop working well within a few months.

You see blurry or with ghost images (halos, double shadows) that don't fully improve with glasses.

You rub your eyes frequently, or have chronic untreated ocular allergies.

You have a direct family member (parent, sibling) diagnosed with keratoconus.

You've been told you have high or irregular astigmatism, especially if it appeared or worsened during adolescence.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is keratoconus diagnosed?

With a high-precision corneal tomography scan (we have the Sirius Plus system), which maps the shape and thickness of your cornea in minutes and can detect keratoconus even at very early stages, before it significantly affects your vision.

Is there a cure for keratoconus?

It isn't "cured" in the sense of reversing the cornea to its original shape, but its progression can be stopped (with crosslinking) and vision can be significantly improved (with scleral lenses, rings, CAIRS, or toric ICL, depending on the case). Early detection is what most changes the long-term outlook.

At what age does keratoconus typically appear?

It usually appears during adolescence or early adulthood (between ages 10 and 25) and tends to progress faster during this stage, which is why early detection in young people with frequent prescription changes is especially important.

Can I wear regular contact lenses if I have keratoconus?

In very early stages, yes. As the cornea becomes more irregular, conventional contact lenses stop providing good vision and tend to be uncomfortable, which is when scleral lenses —designed specifically to vault over the irregular area of the cornea— become the best non-surgical option.

Can eye rubbing cause keratoconus?

Frequent, forceful eye rubbing doesn't cause keratoconus on its own, but it is associated with faster onset and progression in people who already have a predisposition (for example, due to ocular allergies). That's why we always recommend treating the underlying cause of the itching (allergies) and avoiding rubbing your eyes.