Alternative Keratoconus Surgery

[Peter Goren]

Hi everyone. I am an American medical student studying abroad in Europe and interested in ophthalmology. I am writing my thesis on alternative treatments of keratoconus. There is a clinic over here in Budapest that has successfully treated keratoconus using diamond ophthalmic surgery. I am wondering if any similar procedures are available in the UK.

[GarethB]

Hi Peter

Can you elaborate further on what this technique is and how it works because it might be known here under a different name.

And welome to the forum.

[Peter Goren]

While living in Budapest I have spent some time observing this procedure at Artsybashev Clinic. I am not an expert, but from what I understand this technique is a refined version of keratotomy incorporating elements of both radial and astigmatic keratotomy. The procedure is performed using a diamond micrometric knife and a number of microscopic cuts are made at varying positions on the periphery of the cornea. A redistribution of the intraocular pressure occurs returning the cornea to its proper function. Visual acuity is restored providing patients an alternative to corneal transplantation. After witnessing successful results at the clinic, I am interested for my thesis about the similar procedures that are out there and whether or not they have been successful.

[GarethB]

Thanks for that, it sounds very much like ARK or mini-ARK which Professor Lombardi pioneerd in Italy.

Here is a link to the English part of his clinics web site; http://www.lombardieyeclinic.com/index/langid/59

As far as I know the subject of this treatment has been discussed on this forum and proved to be contraversial and the ophthalmologists I have spoken to in private at the KC Group confrences this group has organised in addition to my current ophthalmologist and the one that did both my grafts are sceptical.

I am unaware of this technique being used in the UK, but others might be able to elaborate further.

Hope this helps.

[Peter Goren]

Thank you for the link. I have heard of Professor Lombardi's clinic. Academician Artsybashev uses a quite different technique which he developed in 1986. With his technique he has been able to correct all stages of keratoconus (I-IV) including patients presenting at over -30 D. I have seen statistics showing stable results more than 15 years after surgery. That is the reason I became interested in finding out if anyone is attempting similar procedures.

[Peter Goren]

I have learned a bit more about this technique as well as other similar ones since posting this. If anyone has any questions or wants to send me some info about alternative keratoconus surgery techniques my e-mail is drgoren@hotmail.com. Thanks.