Beyond Crosslinking: Achieving Unaided Vision in Keratoconus Patients
Correcting “Successful” Crosslinked KERATOCONUS Corneas to Real Success —“Unaided” Vision!
Crosslinking is often labeled a “success” when it halts the progression of Keratoconus, but what about the patient’s vision? Many are left with distorted optics, irregular corneas, and dependence on rigid contact lenses—struggling to function in daily life.
So is stabilization without “Unaided” Sight truly success?
Patients from around the world come to me frustrated and disappointed after being told their crosslinked corneas are “treated,” yet they remain unable to see clearly. Many are advised to accept this as their new normal or to prepare for a Corneal Transplant. We need to forge a path forward—one that does not end at stabilization but leads to real-world, functional vision.
Among numerous Worldwide patients, here is a young man who traveled to us from Oklahoma having undergone Crosslinking and visually challenged. Though a “Structural” (not Visual) candidate for Corneoplastique® based Differential INTACS®, he can be seen excitedly sharing his Unaided vision outcomes.
“Think Outside The CONE” – Gulanism
Keratoconus challenges countless patients by distorting the cornea and clouding vision. While cross linking has long been celebrated by doctors as a critical milestone in halting keratoconus progression, structural success does not always translate into real-life unaided visual improvement. With Corneoplastique®-based Intacs, we now have an innovative approach that builds on the success of cross linking to deliver dramatic enhancements in vision quality.
Understanding Keratoconus and the Role of Cross Linking
Keratoconus weakens and thins the cornea, causing it to bulge into a cone shape. This irregularity leads to distorted, blurred vision and increased sensitivity to light. In response, corneal collagen cross linking has become a standard treatment. By applying riboflavin (vitamin B2) and UV-A light, cross linking reinforces the collagen fibers in the cornea. Doctors celebrate this procedure as a “cross linking success” because it effectively stabilizes the cornea and prevents further deterioration.
Yet, while cross linking delivers a strong, more resilient corneal structure, it often leaves residual irregularities, including refractive errors and even scarring in some cases that continue to impair visual clarity. In other words, achieving structural stability is only part of the battle. Patients seek more than just halting disease progression—they want actual vision success.
The Power of Corneoplastique-Based Intacs
Corneoplastique-based Intacs offer a transformative solution that bridges the gap between cross linking and visual improvement. Intacs are small, curved inserts placed within the cornea to reshape and smooth its surface. This procedure refines the corneal architecture and corrects irregularities that cross linking alone may not address.
By employing a Corneoplastique® approach, surgeons can customize the insertion of Intacs to correct specific corneal scars and residual distortions. This method goes beyond mere stabilization. It actively reconfigures the cornea’s curvature, reducing astigmatism and enhancing the way light enters the eye. The result is a significant boost in visual acuity and overall clarity.
Through my Corneoplastique® approach, I analyze the cornea’s unique irregularities and strategically utilize INTACS® where needed to reshape and optimize its optics—without transplants, or limitations.
We must help patients beyond just stabilization; with the Gulani Keratoconus Surgical Algorithm, we can strive for functional vision—because true success is when a patient can see, live, and experience the world with clarity.
For my fellow surgeons, can we go beyond managing Keratoconus to truly elevating these patients’ lives?
Yes, these are complex cases, but can we raise our fight beyond their complexity?
For patients, your journey does not have to end with crosslinking. Your vision deserves more, and with the right approach, it is possible.
Find out if you are “Structural” or “Visual” Candidate.