Keratoconus, Lattice,
Fingerprint & Fuchs
Corneal Dystrophy

The outermost layer of the cornea, called the epithelium, is attached or anchored to an underlying basement membrane, called Bowman’s Membrane, in order to remain healthy.  Sometimes the epithelial basement membrane develops abnormally making it difficult or impossible for the epithelium to adhere properly to the basement membrane. If the epithelium does not adhere properly, Recurrent Corneal Erosions will occur. Recurrent Corneal Erosions are painful and cause the corneal surface to become irregular resulting in intermittent blurry vision along with the discomfort and foreign body sensation. Map-Dot-Fingerprint Dystrophy is also known as Epithelial Basement Membrane Dystrophy because it is caused by a lack of the healthy formation of the Basement Membrane. It affects adults between the ages of 40-70 and can sometimes begin earlier. As the name implies, its appearance is of a map of gray areas, which may also be accompanied by opaque dots, and fingerprint like whirls or lines. We often detect Map-Dot-Fingerprint Dystrophy during a routine eye examination in patients who are asymptomatic. If treatment is required to control the pain for those patients who are symptomatic, we may prescribe lubricating eye drops, patch the eye, apply a soft bandage contact lens or in more severe cases, scrape the cornea to attempt to achieve better adhesion of the epithelium. In some cases, we may suggest that the best results can be achieved using Excimer Laser Phototherapeutic Keratectomy (PTK) to smooth the surface of the cornea.

Lattice Dystrophy occurs as a result of the accumulation of abnormal protein fibers, or amyloid deposits in the middle cornea layer called the corneal stroma. If these deposits become dense enough they will become opaque and affect the corneal transparency so that vision is reduced. If these deposits occur under the outermost layer, the epithelium, they can cause recurrent erosions of the cornea, which can be painful and disturb the normal corneal curvature, effecting vision.

In instances where there are recurrent corneal erosions and pain, we may prescribe eye drops, ointments and occasionally an eye patch or bandage soft contact lens.  Early Lattice Dystrophy seems to respond well to Excimer Laser Phototherapeutic Keratectomy (PTK) whereas more serious cases may require a Corneal Transplant.

Keratoconus is a non-inflammatory “ectasia” of the cornea in which the normally round dome-shaped cornea progressively thins causing a cone-like bulge to develop resulting in significant visual impairment. Keratoconus has been estimated to occur in 1 out of every 1-2,000 persons in the general population. Keratoconus is generally first diagnosed in young people at puberty or in their late teens and progresses through the third or fourth decade of life. It tends to progress more rapidly in young patients. Keratoconus occurs about equally in men and women. It is found in all parts of the United States and the rest of the world. It has no known significant geographic, cultural or social pattern. The signs and symptoms of Keratoconus may change as the disease progresses and may include a) blurred or distorted vision b) monocular double vision c) rapidly changing eyeglass prescriptions especially with high degrees of astigmatism d) increased sensitivity to bright light and glare e) problems with night vision f) headaches from eyestrain and in the most severe situation e) hydrops, a painful condition in which the back of your cornea ruptures and fills with fluid, causing a sudden clouding and loss of vision.

Eyeglasses & Contact Lenses-Eyeglasses and soft contact lenses may be well tolerated and provide satisfactory comfort and vision when Keratoconus is mild. Most often, the quality of vision tends to decline so that patients require Rigid Gas Permeable Lenses (RGP) for vision correction. Other contact lens options for Keratoconus include piggyback lens systems where an RGP lens in worn over a soft silicone hydrogel lens, hybrid contact lenses such as SoftPerm® and SynergEyes® and even very large gas permeable contact lenses that fit over the sclera or white of the eye, called “scleral lenses”. With comprehensive contact lens care generally only 10-20% of patients’ progress to the point of needing medical or surgical intervention.

Corneal Cross Linking-Corneal Cross Linking is a non-invasive treatment that has been proven to strengthen the weak corneal structure in Keratoconus. This treatment method works by increasing collagen cross-linking, which serve as the natural “anchors” within the cornea. These anchors are responsible for preventing the cornea from bulging and becoming steep and irregular and thus causing Keratoconus. Corneal Cross Linking is administered by placing riboflavin eye drops onto the surface of the eye and exposing the surface to a precise amount of ultraviolet light. Corneal Cross Linking offers a possible solution for many Keratoconus patients who have progressed to a significant amount of visual disturbance but not so much so as to require a cornea transplant.

Corneal Transplantation-When Keratoconus has progressed to the point that contact lenses are no longer well tolerated and Corneal Collagen Cross Linking cannot provide good vision correction, a cornea transplant is the best choice. In most cases of Keratoconus a Penetrating Keratoplasty (PK) is the preferred surgical solution although sometimes the Cornea Surgeon may recommend a Lamellar Keratoplasty (LKP). With PK the cornea surgeon removes the central portion of the damaged cornea with a “cookie cutter” like instrument called a trephine and replaces it with a clear cornea obtained from the eye bank. The donor cornea is very carefully sewn into place using sutures that are thinner than a human hair. When the new cornea has healed properly, the fine sutures or stitches can be removed right in the office in most cases. PK is the most common type of cornea transplant as it has the potential to provide the clearest vision after healing because there is no interface (layer) to look through. However, the healing time is somewhat long and the use of a contact lens might be required for the clearest vision. Sometimes Lamellar Keratoplasty (LKP) may be used if the damaged corneal tissue is mainly located in the outermost 50% of the cornea. In LKP the outermost half of the cornea is carefully dissected and removed along with any damaged tissue. Then a new donor cornea is gently sewn into place. This type of corneal transplant is less invasive and will allow your eye to be stronger after surgery than it would be with a regular full thickness transplant, or Penetrating Keratoplasty. However, in some cases there can be some loss of clarity from the interface between the new and remaining layers of the cornea.

If you are in need of Corneal Cross Linking, Intacs® Corneal Implants or a Corneal Transplant for Keratoconus, we will take all the time necessary to explain the risks, benefits and likelihood of success in your particular situation. Please be assured that all of your questions will be answered so that you can make an educated and informed decision about your treatment options at The Eye Care & Surgery Center.