KC Patient and Doctor Perspectives: The Importance of Early Diagnosis and Corneal Cross-Linking
For keratoconus patient Kiana, attaining an early diagnosis and corneal cross-linking proved crucial to managing her condition long-term. At age 18, Kiana started noticing simple vision problems that soon worsened – eventually culminating in her inability to see the blackboard at school and difficulty driving at night.
After visiting with her eye doctor, Kiana discovered that she was living with keratoconus. Initially, she relied on corrective contacts to help her see, but when they began to no longer have an impact, she feared that the disease might quickly progress and cause her to go blind.
After consulting with ophthalmologist and corneal surgeon Dr. Kathryn Hatch, Kiana determined that the best course of action was to undergo the FDA-approved corneal cross-linking (CXL) treatment – a minimally invasive procedure that uses riboflavin eye drops and UV light to strengthen the collagen bonds in the cornea.
Kiana hoped cross-linking would help to preserve her eyesight.
In the video, Kiana, her mother Cheryl, and Dr. Hatch discuss the importance of early diagnosis and corneal cross-linking as an effective management option. If keratoconus is diagnosed early enough, then CXL can be performed to limit the progression of the disease.
For anyone experiencing symptoms of keratoconus (KC), one of the most critical steps is to obtain an early and accurate diagnosis. Since keratoconus can cause deteriorating vision, it’s imperative to understand the progression of the disease and all the available treatment options.