Crosslinking and Keratoconus In Bostonin Boston, MA

At Nielsen Eye Center, our experienced ophthalmologists are dedicated to providing you with the most advanced methods of treatments available. If you have keratoconus, you can trust that our eye doctors can create a detailed treatment plan to preserve or improve your vision. 

What Is Keratoconus?

Keratoconus is an eye condition that affects the front surface of your eye, known as the cornea. Those with keratoconus have a more cone-shaped cornea than a spherical one. Keratoconus causes the corneal tissue to thin and bulge forward, producing blurry and distorted vision. Most cases of keratoconus are diagnosed earlier in life, around adolescence or early adulthood.

However, you can develop keratoconus at any age. Experts do not currently know the cause of keratoconus, although various factors seem to play a role in the development. There is also evidence to suggest that keratoconus may be hereditary. This condition also tends to be associated with frequent eye rubbing, allergies, and certain connective tissue disorders. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What Are the Symptoms of Keratoconus?

If you have keratoconus, it is likely to be diagnosed by your eye doctor during routine eye exams. However, some symptoms are common with keratoconus, including:

• Mildly blurred vision
• Excessive rubbing of the eyes
• Frequent headaches
• Vision that cannot be corrected with glasses
• Difficulty seeing at night

Those who have keratoconus may start off experiencing mild symptoms. However, keratoconus symptoms often worsen with time.  Keratoconus is usually a bilateral condition, meaning if you have it in one eye, you will likely have it in the other. It is possible to have a more advanced stage of the condition in one eye compared to the other. 

In mild stages of the condition, eye doctors often use hard contact lenses to correct distorted or blurry vision. A common symptom of keratoconus in more advanced stages is that these contact lenses no longer work to correct vision. In some cases, the contact lenses may be unable to fit properly on the eye due to the bulging in the cornea. Although keratoconus tends to progress slowly, it can develop rapidly in some people.  In the advanced stages of the condition, scar tissue begins to develop on the cornea that often further blurs and distorts the vision.  

How Do Eye Doctors Test for Keratoconus?

If your eye doctor suspects that you may have keratoconus, they will perform a few tests to determine how advanced the condition is. These tests and measurements will also help your eye doctor determine which treatment plan is best for you. Before you begin to notice symptoms, your eye doctor can often diagnose keratoconus during your routine eye exams. Early detection and treatment of keratoconus are vital for preserving your vision. For this reason, it is essential that you visit your eye doctor for routine exams. To diagnose or detect keratoconus, your eye doctor will perform a thorough examination of your eyes, including looking at them under a microscope.

When examining your eyes under the microscope, your eye doctor will be able to see if there are certain irregularities in your cornea, such as bulging. Your eye doctor will also test your vision to see how your vision compares to previous visits.  For further information about how advanced your keratoconus is, they may take additional images and measurements of your eyes. A pachymetry test is an integral part of diagnosing keratoconus and determining its level of progression. The results of a pachymetry test tell your eye doctor the thickness of your cornea. Your eye doctor can take this measurement at various locations on your cornea. However, your eye doctor will be particularly interested in how thin your cornea is at the peak of the bulge. The thinner your cornea is, the weaker it is. 

In addition to pachymetry, your eye doctor will likely take an image of your cornea that forms a topographical map. This image will show your eye doctor the thinnest or weakest part of your cornea.  Depending on the severity of your condition, our team uses various methods to treat keratoconus. In mild cases, your eye doctor may prescribe you contact lenses to offset the visual symptoms of the condition. In more advanced cases, a corneal transplant may be required to restore vision. However, our experienced eye doctors at Nielsen Eye Center offer the new iLink corneal cross-linking procedure that can slow the progression of the condition. 

What Is iLink Corneal Cross-Linking?

To slow the weakening of the cornea in people who have keratoconus, eye doctors may recommend they have the iLink corneal cross-linking procedure. This procedure is performed by your eye doctor in-office and is outpatient, meaning you can go home the same day.

The iLink corneal cross-linking procedure is the only FDA-approved procedure for the treatment of progressive keratoconus. This safe and effective procedure can slow the progression of keratoconus and possibly prevent the need for a corneal transplant in the future.

During the iLink corneal cross-linking procedure, your eye doctor will apply specifically formulated riboflavin drops in a sequence to the surface of your eye. In combination with a unique UV light, these drops help strengthen the bonds in your cornea. 

The entire procedure takes about one hour. Your eye doctor will give you specific instructions to follow to ensure the best results and avoid complications.

You may notice some discomfort or light sensitivity while your eyes heal. 

You will also need to return to see your eye doctor for regular follow-up visits to ensure that the procedure was successful. The iLink corneal cross-linking procedure does not aim to improve vision – however, it will likely inhibit it from worsening.

The goal of the iLink corneal cross-linking procedure is to strengthen your cornea and help avoid further surgical intervention, like a corneal transplant, in the future. 

Is iLink Corneal Cross-Linking Right For Me?

If you have keratoconus and are considering your treatment options, schedule an appointment with our experts on keratoconus diagnoses, treatment, and surgical procedures. The iLink corneal cross-linking procedure may not be suitable for everyone. To see if this procedure may be able to help improve your keratoconus symptoms or halt the progression of the condition, ask your eye doctor for your treatment options. The eye doctors at Nielsen Eye Center are committed to providing you with the most advanced and customized treatment methods available.

Request a Keratoconus Consultation

To learn more about your keratoconus treatment options, please contact the Nielsen Eye Center. We are proud to serve the Greater Boston communities of Quincy, Weymouth, and Norwell Massachusetts, and Norwood.

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Our team of eye doctors includes some of the foremost experts in laser vision correction and eye surgery in the greater Boston area. We look forward to helping you maintain healthy and clear vision for years to come. Learn more about our leading providers and the high level of service you can expect at the Nielsen Eye Center.

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LOCATIONS NEAR BOSTON, MA

Schedule your appointment today at one of our four convenient offices situated on the South Shore. Serving the greater Boston area, our locations in Quincy, Weymouth, Norwell, and Norwood are here to provide exceptional eye care tailored to your needs.

Quincy Office

300 Congress Street, Suite 201 Quincy, MA 02169

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617.471.5665

Norwell Office

141 Longwater Drive, Suite 111 Norwell, MA 02061

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617.471.5665

Norwood Office

95 Chapel Street, Suite 1A Norwood, MA 02062

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617.471.5665

Weymouth Office

541 Main Street, Suite 110 Weymouth, MA 02190

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617.471.5665