NewswireTODAY - /newswire/ - London, United Kingdom, 2009/11/27 - Patients suffering from Keratoconus, or 'cone-shaped' corneas can now have this common condition treated at London's leading independent eye surgery clinic, Advance VisionCare, thanks to pioneering surgeon, Mr. C. T. Pillai.

Harley Street laser eye correction clinic Advance VisionCare has launched two new treatments to help manage the progression of a common eyesight condition called Keratoconus.

Keratoconus effects approximately 1 in 2000 people and features stromal (middle area of the cornea) thinning. This thinning causes the normally round shaped cornea to become progressively stretched, resulting in a cone-like bulge to develop. Sufferers perceive multiple ghost images in their field of view.

Until recently treatment might ultimately require invasive surgery in the form of corneal transplants. But the new treatment - called cross-linking - administers a solution of riboflavin to the eye before activating by illumination to the eye with UV-A light (called photopolymerisation) for 30 minutes.

The riboflavin causes new bonds to form across adjacent collagen strands in the stromal layer of the cornea. And this subsequently recovers and preserves some of the cornea's mechanical strength.

For Advance VisionCare, head consultant refractive surgeon Mr. C. T. Pillai said, "Advance VisionCare is proud to be one of the few eye-correction clinics to offer this innovative new solution to a very common eye condition. We believe it is important that we continue to embrace the latest techniques and deliver effective treatments for a wide range of eyesight problems.

"Previously, treatment for Keratoconus might involve invasive surgery under local and general anaesthetic. The introduction of our new cross-linking service means that another eyesight condition is now treatable with all the convenience of laser surgery - which has revolutionised the way we correct eyesight."

Cross-linking was pioneered in 2002 by the German professor, Theo Seiler M.D., Ph.D. Ongoing trials are delivering excellent clinical results and several thousand patients worldwide have been successfully treated with this technique and have over five years of follow ups with encouraging results.

In some cases, cross-linking may also be successfully combined with other treatment methods such as corneal ring segment inserts - called Intacs. And this is another new treatment now offered by Advance VisionCare.

Corrective lenses may still be required after this treatment, but it can play an important role in limiting deterioration of vision and reducing the case for corneal transplantation.

Mr. Pillai adds, "It is important to understand that collagen cross-linking treatment is not a cure for Keratoconus. Rather, it aims to slow or even halt the progression of the condition. After the treatment, it is expected that it will continue to be necessary to wear glasses or contact lenses - perhaps with a change of prescription.

"However, it is hoped that the treatment will prevent further deterioration in vision and the need for corneal transplantation. Usually the treatment would be offered only to patients in whom there is clear evidence of progression of their Keratoconus."

More information about Advance VisionCare's cross-linking treatment is available from Bansri Shah by telephoning 0800 652 4878 or visit advancevisioncare.co.uk/.

Agency / Source: Advance VisionCare

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