Interview on the topic of keratoconus
Interview on the topic of keratoconus
We are very pleased that he has agreed to a personal interview on July 22, 2021, in order to give other affected people an insight from the patient's perspective.
When and how did you notice that there was something wrong with your vision?
I first noticed it about five years ago while traveling by train. I noticed that when I looked out the window on the left side of the train, I always had to turn my head quite far toward the window to be able to see everything clearly. When I sat on the right side of the window, I didn't have this problem. So, even then, I started comparing both eyes and basically knew that something was wrong with my left eye.
Why didn't you see an ophthalmologist back then?
Since two of my brothers also had astigmatism, it seemed obvious to me that it would probably run in my family as well. However, since I didn't experience any problems in everyday life with either eye, I pushed the obvious problem aside and initially ignored it. Just 3-4 months ago, there was another situation in which I became very aware that my left eye was seeing significantly worse than my right.
What ultimately led you to find your way to us?
My wife recently had laser eye surgery and can now see perfectly without glasses. Then I thought about getting the same procedure, since I've never had to wear glasses before. So I went to your eye center at Phönixsee for a check-up, examination, and consultation.
Dr. Katharina Wortmann
How did the appointment go and what advice were given to you?
First, Dr. Wortmann thoroughly examined my eyes and performed an eye test, which subjectively did not result in any satisfactory improvement in my left eye. She suspected that my eye was possibly underdeveloped, preventing improved vision. Dr. Wortmann further explained to me that, due to my existing astigmatism, a further examination at the Westfalen Eye Clinic was necessary to rule out any corneal disease.
What were your thoughts and questions after your last appointment at the Westfalen Eye Clinic?
Now that I was aware that I had a condition that would require treatment depending on its progression, questions and uncertainty naturally remained. Since treatment options are limited and there is no way to repair the damage that has already been done, I naturally wondered how the condition would progress and what the worst-case scenario would be.
Explanation of the case:
Following your first appointment at the beginning of February, we now determined at the beginning of July that your corneal condition hasn't changed. If this is the case again at your next check-up in six months, we will be able to extend the check-up intervals to 12 months. We can then consider your condition initially stable and focus on providing you with a corrective lens.
While in mild cases, such as in your right eye, glasses or regular contact lenses would usually still be possible, in cases of advanced keratoconus, such as in your left eye, only special rigid gas permeable contact lenses are possible to restore optimal vision. We recommend visiting a specialized contact lens institute, which can professionally fit a keratoconus contact lens.
If your condition worsens as the disease progresses, we will need to discuss the most promising treatment for keratoconus, so-called crosslinking, which is intended to stop the increasing protrusion of the cornea.
If you don't tolerate the contact lens well in your left eye, we can plan an implantation of intracorneal ring segments such as the "Keraring" to compensate for the irregularity of the cornea. This can result in a significant improvement in visual acuity.
Only when your keratoconus can no longer be treated with contact lenses and treatment approaches such as crosslinking or keraring can no longer help would this be a reason to consider a corneal transplant.
Corneal tomography examination of the left eye.
Corneal tomography examination of the right eye.
What would you recommend to readers and those affected?
I advise anyone who notices a change in their vision to consult an ophthalmologist immediately. I also recommend that you inquire about and undergo further examinations (which may incur a fee), and consider any family history of eye diseases or visual impairments as an opportunity to have your own eyes checked.
Thank you for the pleasant interview!
