Being diagnosed with a corneal condition like keratoconus can feel overwhelming, especially if you are not familiar with the disease. Securing the right medical team and educating yourself about keratoconus create a foundation to help you face the ups and downs of the disease. Read on as Dr. Ernest Kornmehl of Kornmehl Laser Eye Associates explains steps to take if you have recently been diagnosed with keratoconus.
Establish Care With a Knowledgeable Ophthalmologist
Your first step should be to establish care with a fellowship-trained cornea specialist like Dr. Kornmehl, who has extensive knowledge of keratoconus and experience working with patients with the condition. Dr. Kornmehl will ensure you have a thorough medical evaluation to determine the severity of your keratoconus. He will also help you determine the best course of treatment so you can live a normal, independent lifestyle.
Research the Disease
You will also want to arm yourself with information about the disease, its diagnosis and treatment options. In your research, you will discover that keratoconus is progressive, and it is difficult to predict how quickly it will change and how severely it will affect you. Dr. Kornmehl is a great resource for keratoconus education, and he can recommend additional trusted sources to help you with your research.
Maximize Treatment Options
Finally, you will want to maximize the treatment options available to you to slow or stop the progression of your disease. Dr. Kornmehl will provide you with a personalized plan for managing keratoconus. Many of his patients have had success with corneal crosslinking, a procedure that strengthens the fibers of the cornea.
If needed, Dr. Kornmehl will also ensure you have the most suitable contact lenses for your eyes. You will need specially designed lenses that correct the distorted vision caused by keratoconus. You may want to try a few different types of lenses to find one that works. Dr. Kornmehl will determine the right contact lens type and fit to give you your best corrected vision.
If contact lenses cannot give you the clear vision you need for work or recreation, Dr. Kornmehl can discuss other solutions with you.
Contact Us Today
Dr. Kornmehl and our team are here to help you make sense of your diagnosis and support you as you learn about keratoconus. Call or email us today to request a consultation.