Jesse Panthagani — Leading Eye Surgeon
Conditions

Keratoconus management

Keratoconus is a progressive thinning of the cornea that causes distorted, worsening vision. Caught early, it can almost always be stabilised — and its effects corrected.

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Young patient having a corneal examination

Cross-linking: stopping progression

Corneal cross-linking is a minimally invasive, one-time procedure that strengthens the bonds between collagen fibres in the cornea, halting further thinning in over 95% of cases. It’s best performed as soon as keratoconus is diagnosed or shown to be progressing.

Cross-linking doesn’t reverse existing change — it locks in your current shape — which is why early diagnosis matters.

Young person handling a specialist contact lens

Correcting the vision

Once keratoconus is stable, we focus on giving you the clearest possible vision. Options include specialist rigid gas-permeable or scleral contact lenses, Intacs corneal ring segments for mild-to-moderate cases, and — for advanced disease — corneal transplantation using modern lamellar techniques.

We’ll build a long-term plan that fits your lifestyle, not just a short-term fix.

Frequently asked questions

Who gets keratoconus?
Keratoconus usually appears in the teens or twenties and can progress into the thirties. It’s more common in people with allergies or eczema, in frequent eye-rubbers, and in those with a family history. If you’ve been told your prescription keeps changing or your astigmatism is unusual, it’s worth being assessed.
Will keratoconus make me go blind?
No — keratoconus does not cause complete blindness, and with modern management the outlook is excellent. The key is catching progression early: cross-linking can stabilise the cornea before significant vision is lost.
What is corneal cross-linking, and does it work?
Cross-linking (CXL) uses riboflavin (vitamin B2) drops and controlled UV light to strengthen the bonds between collagen fibres in the cornea. It halts progression in over 95% of cases with a single treatment. It doesn’t reverse existing changes — which is why we recommend it as soon as progression is confirmed.
Is cross-linking painful?
The procedure itself is painless — numbing drops are used throughout. Your eye will feel gritty and light-sensitive for a few days while the surface heals, which is managed with drops and simple painkillers. Most people are back to work within a week.
Will my vision improve after cross-linking?
Cross-linking is about stabilisation rather than improvement — think of it as locking in your current vision. Some patients do notice a modest improvement as the cornea remodels, but clearer vision comes from the correction options we plan afterwards: glasses, specialist contact lenses or, in selected cases, further procedures.
Can I keep wearing contact lenses?
Usually, yes — in fact specialist rigid gas-permeable or scleral lenses often give the sharpest vision in keratoconus, because they create a smooth optical surface over the irregular cornea. We’ll help you find the right fit.
Can I have laser eye surgery if I have keratoconus?
Conventional laser eye surgery (LASIK) isn’t suitable, as it thins the cornea further. But that doesn’t mean you’re out of options — cross-linking, specialist lenses, Intacs ring segments and implantable contact lenses can all play a role, depending on your eyes.
Will I eventually need a corneal transplant?
Most people with keratoconus never need one — especially when the condition is caught and stabilised early. For the small number with advanced disease, modern lamellar transplant techniques give excellent results with faster recovery than the transplants of the past.

Concerned about keratoconus?

Early diagnosis is the single biggest factor in long-term outcomes. Book a detailed assessment today.

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Conditions

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