At our centre, we deal with the diagnosis and the entire treatment process of corneal cone.

Corneal cone therapy includes surgical treatment: cross-linking, cross-linking augmented with photo therapeutic keratectomy (PTK) and implantation of intracorneal rings, as well as conservative treatment: hard lenses, scleral lenses, hybrid lenses.

We use state-of-the-art corneal tomography that allow early detection of disease and precise monitoring of corneal conditions in the patients we manage.

What is corneal cone?

Corneal cone (ectasia) is a chronic eye disease involving the progressive thinning and distortion of the cornea. This leads to a gradual deterioration of visual acuity. The cornea, or the transparent, anterior part of the eye is characterised by the greatest refractive power of light rays. Therefore, even minor abnormalities of the cornea can result in significant visual impairment.

Untreated corneal cone can lead to loss of functional vision and, in some cases, even blindness. In such situations, a corneal transplant may be the only way to save sight.

Find out more about corneal cone:

  • The condition affects an average of one in 1,000-2,000 people.
  • It most often begins in adolescence – between 15 and 20 years of age – and develops for years.
  • The causes of corneal cone are not fully known, although they are probably caused by both genetic and environmental factors.
  • People most at risk of corneal cone are people who suffer from allergies and/or atopic dermatitis (AD), which causes itchy and rubbing eyes, and those who have a family history of corneal cone.
  • The effect of progressive changes in the corneal structure is a deterioration of visual acuity and increasing astigmatism, which is impossible to correct with glasses or soft contact lenses.

In the first stages of the disease, the corneal cone is difficult to detect by ophthalmologists using standard equipment.

Therefore, as soon as you notice worrying symptoms in yourself, your child or grandchild, it is essential to have an ophthalmological examination with corneal tomography on specialised diagnostic equipment.

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What are the symptoms of corneal cone?

  • visual acuity deteriorates, especially at night – this happens unevenly, e.g. in one eye first

  • there is a so-called “halo effect”, i.e., seeing halos around lights or being hypersensitive to light

  • the image is distorted or multiplied

  • the selection of spectacle correction becomes increasingly difficult and provides less and less improvement in visual acuity, with a characteristic increase in astigmatism

  • the eye may or may not be red and itchy

Do I qualify for corneal cone therapy?

To diagnose a corneal cone, you need to see a doctor who has experience and expertise in treating ocular diseases. An ophthalmologist specialising in the treatment and diagnosis of corneal cone will recommend an appropriate course of action.

Remember that if the disease is confirmed, cone treatment started at an early stage allows you to stop the development of the disease in a milder stage and avoid the need for a corneal transplant. Therefore, do not forget to consult a specialist on experiencing the first symptoms.

Therapy methods for corneal cone in the SPEKTRUM

Thanks to the wide range of therapy methods for corneal cone, we apply the principle of individualisation of treatment – we match the most optimal procedure to the patient’s needs and anatomical conditions at different stages of the disease. Our specialists take care of the comfort of each patient, creating a stress-free environment. In addition, they communicate all information clearly, so that no patient is in any doubt about the condition and its treatment.

At the SPEKTRUM clinic, we offer a full range of conservative treatment: individual selection of specialised contact lenses – hard lenses, hybrid lenses, scleral lenses – and surgical treatment: cross-linking, cross-linking combined with excimer laser therapy and implantation of intracorneal rings using a femtosecond laser.

It is worth remembering that conservative treatment in the form of contact lenses does not stop the progression of the disease, but only improves the quality of vision temporarily.

Learn about the characteristics of corneal cone procedures at SPEKTRUM:

Cross-linking (CXL – Corneal Collagen Cross-Linking), referred to as corneal cross-linking:

  • a proven and recognised method for the treatment of corneal cone, used for over 25 years
  • is aimed at stopping or slowing down the progression of the disease
  • involves saturating the cornea with riboflavin (vitamin B2) and then exposing it to ultraviolet radiation
  • strengthening of cross-links, i.e. connections of collagen fibres from which the cornea is made
  • the rigidity of the cornea is increased, thus increasing its resistance to deformation
  • the development of the disease is stopped

The procedure is performed under local anaesthesia and takes approximately one hour. The first effects of the treatment are visible after a few weeks and the final result after a minimum of 6 months.

Depending on the severity of the disease and anatomical conditions, we may decide to use an additional modification of the cross-linking method.

Cross-linking in combination with excimer laser therapy (photo therapeutic keratectomy procedure – PTK)

The excimer laser is also used in the correction of visual defects, but in the case of corneal cone, it has a therapeutic application. The procedure should therefore not be confused with laser vision correction.

Intracorneal rings

Intracorneal rings are an advanced and proven method of treating corneal cone. The technique has been used for more than 20 years, especially in the advanced stages of the disease.

During the procedure, the doctor makes micro tunnels in the cornea using a femtosecond laser. Then, the doctor implants small, transparent implants – rings that reduce irregularities on the corneal surface. The rings act as a ‘frame’ to stiffen the cornea.

Implantation of rings will be a good option if the patient is unable to tolerate hard lenses or spectacle correction.

The effect of the procedure is to improve visual acuity by improving the regularity of the cornea and significantly reducing near-sightedness and astigmatism. The result is both an improvement in the patient’s vision and additional stabilisation of the cornea. However, in cases of corneal cone with a tendency to progression, implantation of the rings may not preclude the need for cross-linking.

The treatment for one eye takes about 15 minutes, is painless and does not cause discomfort for the patient. The total time of the procedure with post-operative observation ranges from 2-3 hours.

Advantages of intracorneal ring implantation:

  • a completely safe and reversible procedure – the rings can be removed and replaced if necessary
  • improved corneal geometry and visual comfort – visual defects associated with corneal cone are reduced
  • minimally invasive compared to other methods
  • a good alternative for patients who cannot tolerate contact lenses
  • improving the ease of selection, tolerance and stabilisation of contact lenses after surgery

Cost of the corneal cone treatment – surgery, corneal cross-linking

The price of a corneal cross-linking procedure consists of many different elements. It includes, among other things: the qualifying visit, the procedure itself and possible additional payments for riboflavin ampoules. The situation is similar for the price of the corneal cone surgery, involving the intracorneal ring implantation.

Find out more!

Need information? Do you have questions? Feel free to contact us!

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