Can Wearing Contact Lenses Stabilize My Keratoconus?

When patients come to the clinic for contact lenses, many would think that contact lenses can help stabilise their keratoconus. As much as we would like to say yes, the answer is no. Contact lenses can only improve your vision and they do not prevent the progression of your keratoconus. It is therefore important that you consider collagen cross linking early on as this procedure makes the corneal collagen fibrils stronger and more resistant to coning, thus stabilising your condition.

Good news though for those who have reached 30's because by the 4th decade of life, there is a natural cross-linking effect, which basically stabilises your condition. This is the time that you can say, it is good to be 40...😀

Another common question is that if contact lenses can provide 20/20 vision. It really depends on the severity and the condition of the cornea. No doctor can promise you a 20/20 vision. We can just promise that we can maximise your vision so you can be functional and get back to school or work... Just like an artist, we work with what the subjects have. It is not magic. If your corneas are hazy, or scarred, then we cannot achieve 20/20, but we can definitely promise improvement of vision.

How long can contact lenses last? Well, it really depends on the type of contact lenses that were given to you. For soft contact lenses and hybrid lenses, they have to be changed every 3 months. For gas permeable and scleral lenses, they may be changed annually to about every 2 years. But generally, further follow up is needed to make sure that the lenses are still in good condition, and that the fit of the lenses are still okay.

What's the best contact lens for you? A visit to the optometrist's clinic for evaluation is needed to make a proper recommendation. For mild cones, as simple as regular soft contact lenses for astigmatism may work, but when the condition progresses, other specialty lenses may be considered. A corneal topography test and a diagnostic fitting session has to be scheduled.

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Can You Do Weight Lifting If You Have Keratoconus?

Many patients are asking if they can still do weight lifting since they have keratoconus. During weight lifting, in order to carry tons of weight, a powerlifter may utilise a breathing pattern which involves Valsalva manoeuvre. According to wikipedia, t he V alsalva manoeuvre is performed by moderately forceful attempted exhalation against closed airway, usually done by closing one's mouth, pinching one's nose shut while pressing out as if blowing up a balloon. Other situations where Valsava manoeuvre is done are during diving, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, air travel and sometimes even going to the restroom doing your number 1. According to Findley, Keating and Toscano (2003), the Valsalva manoeuvre is commonly used in powerlifting to stabilise the trunk during activities such as squat, deadlift, and bench press. So what happens to the cornea when Valsalva manoeuvre is done? A study by Drun et al (2017) recorded the measurements of the corneal curvature,

Can I Drink Alcoholic Beverages While Wearing Scleral Lenses?

Scleral lenses are fitted to patients with complicated prescriptions and irregular corneas. A common question I encountered is "Doc, is it safe to drink alcoholic beverages while I am wearing my scleral lenses?" . Looking into the different papers on the effects of alcoholic beverages on the eye, alcohol, similar to coffee and smoking, can induce some ocular dryness. Studies noted the presence of ethanol in tears of patients within 6 to 12 hours after drinking alcoholic beverages. The presence of ethanol in tears may cause increased evaporation rate, increased corneal staining, and decreased tear volume, leading to dry eyes. Unlike in soft contact lenses, the material of scleral lenses does not undergo dehydration. However, scleral lens wearers may still feel some symptoms of dryness. It is essential, though, to be sure to be still able to remove your lenses when you get home, clean and store them properly. We have one patient who was too drunk

How to Know If Your Keratoconus is Progressing?

Keratoconus typically starts at puberty and progresses until the third or fourth decade of life. At initial diagnosis, younger patients with the steepest corneal curvature (Kmax) of over 55 D have a significantly greater risk of progression. Keratoconus seen at this age is more aggressive, leading to more severe cases. Without any management, the corneal curvature becomes more conical in shape, which can cause worsening of vision, thinning and scarring of the cornea, and possible development of hydrops. However, it tends to stabilize after 20 years from the first diagnosis. To detect keratoconus progression, some corneal parameters need to be evaluated. WHAT THE EYE DOCTOR IS LOOKING FOR? -Increase maximum corneal refractive power (Kmax) by more than 1 Diopter within one year. -An increase in (corneal) myopia by more than 3 Diopter or astigmatism by more than 1.5 Diopter within one year. -An average corneal refractive power increase by more than 1.5 Diopter within one year. -A reduc

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