Approximately one in two thousand people suffer from keratoconus; a corneal dystrophy which causes the cornea to thin. The cornea is the transparent tissue on the frontal surface of the eye. This thinning is progressive so the cornea is deformed by way of a cone. This causes dramatic changes in vision and has a great impact on the lives of patients who suffer from this condition.

The first step a patient with keratoconus should take is the use of contact lenses. A large percentage of people experience a normal life with the use of contact lenses. For those patients intolerant to contact lens the next step may be placing Intrastromal Rings (Intacs). Only a qualified ophthalmologist can tell if the patient is a candidate for the placement of rings.

Keratoconus does not cause total blindness. Approximately, only 20% of patients with keratoconus will require a corneal transplant. Cross Linking stops the progression of the disease within the early stages.