Advanced Stage IV Keratoconus Update - www.KCFreedom.org

drgoren · Veteran Member

Advanced Stage IV Keratoconus Update

Zenke · Veteran Member

Hi, very promising results. Do you have any data of how many KC patients that has been done with this procedure so far? Do you now about less successfull cases? Is there any data gathered from patients about ghosting, glares, night vision problems etc? ( I think such problems are of big concern for many KC patients )

BR Henrik.F

drgoren · Veteran Member

Hi Henrik

I am now back in Los Angeles, but during my time in Budapest I assisted Dr. Artsybashev with a long-term study of his technique for the treatment of keratoconus. The preliminary results were indeed very promising. The study includes more than 300 operations encompassing all the stages of keratoconus. Over 90% of stage I and II keratoconus patients no longer required any form of correction. Following the procedure, approximately 50-60% of stage III-IV patients were either without correction or only relied on minimal correction with glasses. One of the main benefits is that RGP (rigid gas permeable) contact lenses were no longer necessary.

Approximately 10% of patients reported night vision and glare disturbances during the immediate recovery period, however, these symptoms were no longer reported after 6 months of recovery. Visual acuity improved in every case. The improvement varied from case to case. For example, some patients with a combination of keratoconus and a high degree of myopia (nearsightedness) did not experience as significant an increase in uncorrected visual acuity. Also, the presence of a central leucoma (white opaque scar) will of course affect the amount of improvement. Those cases which were not complicated by scarring, increased axial length of the eyeball, etc., showed a markedly increased visual acuity following surgery.

Regards,

Peter Goren
drgoren@hotmail.com

Zenke · Veteran Member

Hi, thanks for all your work and information. My status is a clear cornea (crosslinked one) stage II/III with RGP (cant handle cylinder power required by glasses, Kmax 49 something, sim k astig approx 4.

Would it be a good candidate for diamond surgery, would you as a doctor recommend it?

My "good" eye gets 90-100% vision with glasses (low myope, very good eye expect keratoconus :)) , if I go for the worst eye would you recommend doing/risking the better one too? Is it a big risk in your opinion? Did you see any eye infections and other complications?

Will you continue to have contact with Dr Artsybashev and follow the progress?

Br Henrik.F

drgoren · Veteran Member

I have spoken with Dr. Artsybashev. He said if you want his opinion just send him the results from your most recent eye exam. His email is info@arcibasevklinika.com. Since I am still in the last year of medical school and not a doctor yet it would be inappropriate to offer my specific medical opinion.

On average, the visual acuity after surgery was higher for those in the early stages of keratoconus. The procedure becomes more complicated as the disease progresses. I did not see any infections or serious complications.

Peter

zk · Veteran Member

Glad I found this thread it is interesting.

I had 6 diopters of myopia before I got keratoconus, so the keratoconus was added on top of it.

I also have trace corneal haze in corneas from CXL.

Im not sure how does haze affect outcomes.

Also if someone has alot of myopia and keratoconus, most likely he will still be wearing glasses after the surgery but if all goes well doesnt his BSCVA improve ?

For ex moderate keratoconus BSCVA is around 20/40-20/30, is it possible to achieve 20/20 BSCVA?

drgoren · Veteran Member

The outcome may depend on the location of the haze and the severity of the keratoconus. However, even cases of central haze have shown improvement over time. It is possible to have some clearing as the incisions heal.

Reagrding your second question, patients with KC and myopia have reached 20/20 UCVA or BSCVA after surgery. The amount of improvement really depends on an individual basis as there are many factors involved. While not everyone will be able to reach 20/20 after surgery, it is important to note that UCVA improved in each case from the pre-op levels.

drgoren · Veteran Member

1 Year Control Visit:

Keratoconus IV - 1 Year Control Visit