Keratoconus
Keratoconus is a vision disorder that occurs when the normally round cornea (the front part of the eye) becomes thin and irregular (cone) shaped. This abnormal shape prevents the light entering the eye from being focused correctly on the retina and causes distortion of vision.
Signs and symptoms include: Blurred and distorted vision, Eye itching Headache Eyestrain Eye glass power changes Fluctuating vision. Contact lens types prescribed: Scleral lenses, Mini scleral lenses, ROSE-K Lenses, RGP Lenses
Pellucid Marginal Degeneration (PMD)
Pellucid Marginal Degeneration is a sub-category of keratoconus. Pellucid corneas involve a larger distorted area than keratoconus. It is not unusual for 50% or more of the corneal surface to be involved. Because so much of the cornea can be affected, fitting this type of cornea can be quite challenging.
Very often, scleral lenses are what works best on these types of corneas. Scleral lenses vault the entire cornea and are supported by the white portion of the eye (the sclera).
Post Corneal Transplant (PK/PKP)
Whether for eye disease or eye injury, some people may require a cornea transplant in order to restore their vision. Corneal transplants that are performed come in two forms: one known as penetrating keratoplasty or PK, where the full thickness of the cornea is corrected.
RGP’s, hybrid contact lenses or scleral lenses to provide you with clear vision and comfort without the need of any further surgery. Scleral lenses, for example, have an advantage over other contact lenses since they vault over the cornea, which, in turn, allows one’s cornea to remain hydrated as well as establish clear vision. This is a safe alternative that won’t negatively affect the cornea.
Post Lasik Ectasia
Although LASIK, PRK, and other laser vision correction procedures have a high success rate, they don’t produce perfect vision for everyone. The results depend largely on the unique way one’s corneas respond to laser energy and how one’s eyes heal after surgery. In rare cases, patients will develop post-surgical ectasia, a condition that resembles keratoconus—a progressive eye disorder where the cornea bulges into a shape resembling a cone—but has a different origin./p>
The most effective way to treat post-surgical ectasia is with gas permeable (GP) scleral lenses. Unlike standard contact lenses, GP lenses are rigid. They maintain their shape on the eye, where soft lenses conform to the surface of the cornea.
Sjogren’s Syndrome (SD)
Sjogren’s syndrome is an autoimmune disease, which means that it causes your immune system to attack your own body. Many different autoimmune diseases cause a range of symptoms. If you have Sjogren’s syndrome, your immune system attacks the glands that usually produce saliva and tears. Therefore, your symptoms most likely include a dry mouth and dry eyes.
Treatment for Sjogren’s syndrome focuses on relieving symptoms, something that scleral contact lenses can help tremendously. Scleral lenses are special custom-fitted contact lenses to the individual that can help in a variety of ways.
Ocular Chronic GVHD
GvHD, which may be acute or chronic, results from an overactive inflammatory response, sometimes leading to the destruction of healthy tissues. Many patients (anywhere from 40% to 90%) with chronic GvHD will eventually develop symptoms that affect their eyes. Ocular GvHD can cause a range of symptoms and conditions, such as corneal ulceration, conjunctival scarring, and anterior uveitis (an inflammation of the middle layer of the eye that can cause redness, soreness, vision disturbances, and photosensitivity).
If you have GvHD and are experiencing unpleasant eye symptoms, there’s help available. Contact us for a consultation, and we’ll be happy to provide an exam and advice on your best treatment options.
Limbal Stem Cell Deficiency (LSCD)
Limbal stem cells (LSCs) are a vital set of cells that reside in the basal limbal region, serving as both a source of progenitor cells that differentiate to replenish corneal epithelium and as part of the limbal barrier between the conjunctiva and cornea. Limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD) results from damage to or destruction of corneal stem cells.
A retrospective review of clinical records of a patient with LSCD describes the use of scleral lenses in disease management. Scleral lenses might allow some patients with LSCD to delay or avoid more aggressive surgical intervention.
