ِAbout Keratoconus
Keratoconus is a progressive eye condition in which the normally round cornea becomes thin and begins to bulge into a cone-like shape. This distortion causes blurry or distorted vision and can significantly affect a person’s ability to see clearly. The condition often develops during adolescence and may progress more quickly if it begins at a younger age or if there is frequent eye rubbing.
At Moorfields Eye Hospital Dubai and Abu Dhabi, our Keratoconus specialists use advanced diagnostic tools and personalised keratoconus treatment options to support long-term eye health and help patients maintain the best possible vision.
Looking for more information?
Explore our frequently asked questions for additional information about your condition, care and treatment.
What are the causes and risk factors of Keratoconus?
Keratoconus occurs when the cornea becomes more elastic and begins to thin, which causes it to bulge outward and lose its normal shape. Several factors may contribute to its development:
- Family history: The condition may be inherited, and individuals with a family member affected by keratoconus are at greater risk.
- Allergies and inflammation: Conditions such as hay fever, eczema, and asthma are commonly linked with keratoconus.
- Eye rubbing: Repeatedly rubbing the eyes can significantly accelerate the progression of keratoconus and is strongly discouraged.
Keratoconus affects approximately 1 in 2,000 people worldwide and is more commonly observed in the Middle East.
What are the symptoms of Keratoconus?
Keratoconus often presents with symptoms that vary in severity depending on the progression of the condition and these include:
- Blurry, distorted vision or double vision
- Seeing halos around lights
- Increased sensitivity to light
- Difficulty seeing at night.
- Frequent changes in eyeglass prescriptions
- Increased nearsightedness or astigmatism
Recognising the signs of keratoconus early is crucial for effective management. If left undiagnosed, the condition can progress to a stage where traditional corrective measures, such as eyeglasses or soft contact lenses, may no longer be sufficient.
How is Keratoconus Diagnosed?
Several diagnostic tests are used to confirm the presence of keratoconus and assess its severity. These include:
- Corneal Topography: This non-invasive imaging scan , maps the surface curvature of the cornea, revealing the characteristic cone-shaped irregularities
- Pachymetry: This test measures the thickness of the cornea, which is vital for detecting the progressive thinning that occurs in keratoconus.
- Slit-Lamp Examination: A detailed examination of the cornea using a slit-lamp microscope can reveal signs of keratoconus, such as corneal thinning and scarring.
- Keratometry: This test measures the curvature of the central cornea and helps in detecting abnormalities in its shape.
These tests aid in diagnosing keratoconus, monitoring its progression, and determining the most appropriate treatment options.
Keratoconus treatment options
Non-Surgical Treatments: Eyeglasses and Contact Lenses
In the early stages, vision can often be corrected with eyeglasses or soft contact lenses to provide clear vision.
- Eyeglasses or soft contact lenses: Suitable for mild cases.
- Rigid gas permeable (RGP) contact lenses: Help correct the irregular shape of the cornea as keratoconus progresses.
- Hybrid lenses: Combine the comfort of soft lenses with the clarity of rigid lenses, offering good vision and comfort for many patients.
Advanced Treatments: Corneal Cross-Linking and Surgery
- Corneal Collagen Cross-Linking with Riboflavin (CXL): This treatment strengthens the cornea using Vitamin B2, halting the progression of Keratoconus. The success of this treatment varies, but many patients experience a significant slowdown in the progression of the condition.
- Intracorneal Rings (Intacs & Ferrara): These rings are inserted into the cornea to modify its shape and improve vision. They are used when contact lenses are unsuitable and the cornea is relatively clear. Patients generally see improved vision and a more regular corneal shape post-procedure.
- Phototherapeutic Keratectomy (PTK) combined with corneal cross-linking: This procedure improves corneal surface irregularities when contact lenses are not tolerated..
- Corneal Transplants: Used in advanced stages with corneal scarring, the procedures vary from partial (Deep Anterior Lamellar Keratoplasty—DALK) to full-thickness grafts (Penetrating Keratoplasty—PK). The need for transplants is declining due to early diagnosis and successful early treatments like CXL.
Can Keratoconus be Prevented?
Although keratoconus cannot be entirely prevented, some measures may help slow its progression:
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- Avoid rubbing the eyes, especially during allergy flare-ups.
- Manage allergic eye conditions with appropriate treatments.
- Wear protective eyewear in dusty or windy environments to reduce the urge to rub the eyes.
Keratoconus treatment Specialists
Dr. Miguel Morcillo
Consultant Ophthalmologist in Cornea, Cataract and Refractive vision correction surgery- Corneal diseases
- Cataract surgery
- Laser Vision correction surgery: LASIK, LASEK, TransPRK and SMILE
- Implantable Collamer Lenses (ICLs)
- Multifocal intraocular lenses (IOLs)
- Keratoconus surgery
- Degree in Medicine from the Universitat de Valencia, Spain
- Ophthalmology Residency completed through the MIR (Médico Interno Residente) programme of the Spanish Ministry of Health
- Advanced training in corneal surgery at NIIOS Eye Institute, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
- Member of Sociedad Española de Oftalmología (SEO)
- Member of the Pan-American Association of Ophthalmology (PAAO)
- Member of the European Vitreoretinal Society (EVRS)
- Member of Surgical Eye Expeditions International (SEE International)
- Research in surgical techniques and outcomes, including Ultrathin LASIK, keratoconus screening, ICLs and multifocal IOLs
- Presented research at national and international congresses and in scientific journals
- Organised educational courses on refractive surgery for ophthalmology peers and opticians
- Experienced educator of surgeons in anterior segment and refractive surgery
- Contributed to the development and implementation of refractive treatments including LASIK, LASEK, ICLs and multifocal IOLs
Dr. Osama Giledi
Consultant Ophthalmologist in Cataract, Cornea and Refractive Vision Correction SurgeryChief of Cornea and Refractive surgery
GCAA Approved Specialist Aeromedical Examiner
Associate Professor Of Ophthalmology (Adjunct)
- Advanced phacoemulsification cataract surgery
- Premium intraocular lenses, including toric, multifocal and extended-depth-of-focus (EDOF) lenses
- Full-thickness and partial-thickness corneal transplantation
- SALK, DALK and DSAEK procedures
- Management of complex corneal disorders
- Advanced surgical and non-surgical corneal therapeutics
- SMILE
- Femto-LASIK
- PRK and TransPRK
- Phakic intraocular lenses, including ICL
- Corneal cross-linking
- Intracorneal ring segments
- Complex laser treatments
- Corneal transplantation
- Severe dry eye disease
- Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD)
- Pterygium
- Limbal stem cell deficiency
- Ocular surface reconstruction
- Amniotic membrane grafting
- Pterygium excision with conjunctival autograft and fibrin glue techniques
- MBBCh, Medical Degree, Libya
- Specialist Ophthalmology Training, United Kingdom
- FRCSEd (Ophthalmology), Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, UK
- Certification in Refractive Surgery, Royal College of Ophthalmologists, London, UK
- Six-month Clinical Fellowship in Cornea and External Eye Disease, Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle, UK
- Two-year Higher Subspecialty Fellowship in Anterior Segment, Cornea and Refractive Surgery, Corneoplastic Unit and Eye Bank, Queen Victoria Hospital, East Grinstead, UK
- Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, UK
- United Kingdom & Ireland Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons ( UKISCRS)
- European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons (ESCRS)
- American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons (ASCRS)
- Emirates Ophthalmology Society (ESO)
- Member, UAE National Organ and Tissue Program Corneal Transplant Committee
- Associate Professor of Ophthalmology (Adjunct) at Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences (MBRU)
- Extensive experience in ophthalmic teaching and surgical trainingin
- Presenter at national and international ophthalmology meetings
- Author of research published in peer-reviewed scientific journals
Dr. Hamed Abbasi
Specialist Ophthalmologist in Cornea and Refractive surgeryAreas of Expertise
- Refractive surgery, including PRK, TransPRK, FemtoLASIK and FemtoSMILE
- Implantable Collamer Lenses (ICL)
- Cataract surgery, including multifocal intraocular lenses (IOLs)
- Corneal transplantation, including PKP, DALK, DSAEK and DMEK
- Keratoconus management
- Pterygium surgery
- Dry eye management
- Upper and lower eyelid blepharoplasty
Qualifications
- Doctor of Medicine (MD)
- Board of Ophthalmology Speciality, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Fellowship in Cornea and Refractive Surgery, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Professional Affiliations
- Member of the Emirates Society of Ophthalmology
Research & Academic Work
- Published research in the field of cornea in peer-reviewed journals, including the American Journal of Ophthalmology and Eye, the journal of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists
- Serves as a peer reviewer for medical journals, including the American Journal of Ophthalmology and Medicine
- Regularly participates as a speaker and instructor at scientific congresses organised by the Emirates Society of Ophthalmology
Dr. Nadim Habash
Visiting Consultant Ophthalmologist in Cornea and Ocular Surface Diseases- Corneal diseases
- Ocular surface diseases
- Anterior segment diseases
- General ophthalmology
- American Board-Certified Ophthalmologist
- Diplomate of the American Board of Ophthalmology
- Residency ophthalmology training at George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
- Served as Chief Resident at George Washington University
- Fellowship in Cornea and External Disease at the University of Florida, Gainesville, USA
- Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons of Canada, FRCS(C)
- Member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO)
- Published research on corneal transplantation
- Chaired scientific conferences and symposia
- Extensive experience teaching medical students and ophthalmology residents
- Held academic positions during his career, including the University of Ohio at Toledo, USA and King Saud University at Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Dr. Esmaeil Arbabi
Medical Director and Consultant Ophthalmologist in Corneal transplant, Cataract & Refractive Surgery
FAQ
Keratoconus does not usually cause complete blindness, but it can significantly reduce vision if the cornea becomes increasingly irregular, thin or scarred. In many cases, useful vision can be maintained or improved with glasses or specialist contact lenses, while treatments such as corneal cross-linking can help prevent progressive keratoconus from worsening. In advanced cases where vision can no longer be adequately corrected, other treatments, including corneal transplantation, may be considered.
Laser vision correction, such as LASIK, is generally not suitable for people with keratoconus because it removes corneal tissue, which can further weaken an already thinning cornea and risk accelerating the condition. This differs from certain laser treatments used alongside corneal cross-linking, which are performed to improve the corneal surface as part of managing keratoconus. Your cornea specialist will assess your eyes carefully and advise whether any laser-based treatment is suitable for you.
There is currently no treatment that completely cures or reverses keratoconus, but the condition can often be managed effectively. Where keratoconus is progressing, corneal cross-linking can strengthen the cornea and help prevent further deterioration. Glasses, specialised contact lenses, and, in selected cases, other procedures can help improve vision, depending on the severity and shape of the cornea. Regular monitoring allows treatment to be considered at the appropriate stage.
Keratoconus often progresses more actively during adolescence and early adulthood and may slow or stabilise with age. However, there is no fixed age at which progression stops, and the pattern can vary from person to person. Regular monitoring with a cornea specialist can identify whether the condition is changing. If progression is confirmed, treatment such as corneal cross-linking may be recommended to help stabilise the cornea and reduce the risk of further progression.
If keratoconus is left untreated, it can continue to progress, with the cornea thinning and bulging further, which leads to increasingly blurred and distorted vision that becomes harder to correct with glasses or standard contact lenses. In more advanced cases, corneal scarring may develop and specialist contact lenses or, less commonly, a corneal transplant may be required. Early diagnosis and appropriate monitoring allow progression to be identified and treatment such as corneal cross-linking to be considered before more advanced changes develop.
The main purpose of corneal cross-linking is to strengthen and stabilise the cornea and reduce the risk of keratoconus progressing, rather than to reverse changes that have already occurred. Most people will still need glasses or contact lenses afterwards to achieve their clearest vision.
Most people with keratoconus do not need a corneal transplant. Advances in early diagnosis, specialist contact lenses and corneal cross-linking have significantly reduced the need for transplantation. A transplant is generally considered in advanced keratoconus when vision can no longer be adequately corrected with contact lenses, or when significant corneal scarring is affecting vision. Our corneal specialist will discuss the available options with you if transplantation ever becomes necessary.
How often keratoconus should be monitored depends on your age, the severity of the condition, and whether there is evidence of progression. Younger patients and those showing signs of progression may need more frequent reviews, while appointments can usually be spaced further apart once the condition is stable. Our Cornea specialist will recommend an individual monitoring schedule, using corneal scans together with vision and prescription measurements to identify any changes over time.
Moorfields Eye Hospitals UAE has corneal specialists in Dubai and Abu Dhabi with expertise in diagnosing, monitoring and treating keratoconus, supported by advanced diagnostic technology that enables early detection and precise long-term monitoring. As part of a globally recognised eye care institution, our team combines this expertise with a personalised approach, so that every patient receives care focused on protecting their long-term eye health and preserving the best possible vision.
Moorfields Eye Hospitals UAE works with a wide range of insurance providers across the UAE. Coverage for keratoconus consultations, diagnostic tests, monitoring and treatment depends on your individual policy and any approval requirements set by your insurer. You can check your coverage directly with your insurer or contact us before your appointment for further guidance. The full list of accepted insurance providers is available at moorfields.ae/insurance-provider/
Care at our specialist eye hospitals in Dubai and Abu Dhabi is delivered through established clinical governance, audit and patient safety processes, with protocols aligned to those followed by Moorfields Eye Hospital London and supported by JCI and ACHSI accreditation. We regularly measure and publish our outcomes to provide patients with clear information about the standard of care delivered. Learn more about our satisfaction rates and outcomes: https://moorfields.ae/our-satisfaction-rates/
