In its incipient phase, which occurs in adolescence, keratoconus causes irregular astigmatism caused by deformation of the cornea. Blurred vision and distortion of images are the symptoms of this vision deterioration which then progresses more or less rapidly over time. The worsening occurs in daytime vision at any distance (astigmatism and myopia) and also in night vision, and other symptoms may be associated: photophobia, eye fatigue and eye irritation. Eye pain may also occur.

The progression of the disease is different in each eye and the existence of keratoconus must be suspected whenever there is a constant modification of the prescription of astigmatism and myopia, with the aggravating factor that it cannot be adequately corrected with the use of glasses.

The treatment of keratoconus depends on the time of diagnosis and the degree of evolution that the disease has reached. In the most initial phase, pharmacological treatment (artificial tears and allergy medications) can be started aimed at improving the surface of the cornea, since the characteristic protrusion of this disease is very mild. The next step is to correct astigmatism with contact lenses, since this goal cannot be achieved with glasses. Over time, the curvature of the contact lenses will have to be modified to adapt them to the deformation of the cornea or even combine soft and hard contact lenses. When the correction of visual alterations with contact lenses is no longer possible, the only treatment option is surgery.

Although until not long ago only a corneal transplant could be expected, currently effective therapeutic techniques have been developed that can avoid transplantation, such as corneal crosslinking and the implantation of intracorneal rings.

There is no treatment to return the damage found when we see corneas with keratoconus. Many times we must prescribe glasses, contact lenses and even schedule more complex surgeries such as intrastromal ring segments, phakic lenses or corneal transplants, to try to improve our patients' vision.

It will then depend on a review of each eye and each particular cornea by an expert ophthalmologist, who, supported by different examinations, recommends the best treatment for each particular case.

Until a couple of years ago, there was no treatment that could effectively stop the progression of keratoconus.

Today we can offer our patients a small surgery called Corneal Crosslinking, which translates to cross-linking.

This is an outpatient surgery where a vitamin is placed on the patient's cornea, and under a special ultraviolet light, new bonds are induced in the fibers of the cornea, which results in a hardening of the cornea, slowing the progression of the disease. keratoconus.

This surgery is performed in patients in whom disease progression has been demonstrated in different controls and with different examinations.

The objective of this surgery is precisely to stabilize keratoconus and thus try to prevent progression, which in the worst case can end in a corneal transplant.

Finally, if none of the treatments already mentioned prevent the progression of the disease, it will be necessary to resort to corneal transplantation, which has evolved a lot in recent times. Currently, a technique called Lamellar surgery is used which, instead of having to transplant the entire cornea, allows only the affected part of the cornea to be transplanted. It is a less aggressive technique, in which the possibility of rejection is reduced, favoring the adaptation of the new tissue to the eye and allowing a faster recovery.

This disease can be caused by different agents, including bacteria and viruses. Additionally, there are allergic conjunctivitis.

Bacterial conjunctivitis: It occurs when bacteria enter the eye (usually by contaminating the hands and then touching the eyes).

It is characterized by the presence of muco-purulent discharge (known in non-medical language as “lagañas”) and ocular redness. Generally there is no pain and vision is not affected. It is important to consult an ophthalmologist in order to receive appropriate treatment with antibiotics, to reduce the possibility that acute conjunctivitis can transform into chronic conjunctivitis.

Viral conjunctivitis: It is usually characterized by greater redness than bacterial conjunctivitis, and less discharge. It is a highly contagious disease, so it is very important to avoid touching your eyes and also wash your hands as soon as you touch them. At home you should have a separate towel, and be careful to avoid close contact with other people. This conjunctivitis can at any given time affect the cornea and reduce vision, which is why it is important to consult an ophthalmologist. 

Allergic conjunctivitis: It is characterized by redness and a scratchy sensation in the eyes. It is triggered by substances or particles in the environment that can be: plant pollen, animal hair, mites that accumulate in places where there is household dust, chemicals. It is necessary to reduce exposure to these elements as much as possible and also consult to receive treatment with ocular anti-allergy medications. It is very important to avoid rubbing directly on the eyes, because this repetitive trauma can trigger other serious eye diseases, such as Keratoconus.

The causes that cause conjunctivitis will influence its treatment. To begin, the eyes should be cleaned, removing secretions with a clean cloth, warm boiled water or sterile physiological saline. Cold compresses and pain relievers are also often helpful.

Treatment may be the administration of antibiotic eye drops, ointment or gel. To improve allergic or viral conjunctivitis, however, the most effective is the use of eye drops with corticosteroids, which should never be used in the event that the infection has been caused by herpes, since corticosteroids worsen the infection.

Treatment usually lasts a week: the drops are administered four to six times a day and the ointment or gel two to three times a day. The gel is used less times compared to eye drops and does not cloud the vision (which happens with the ointment).

If symptoms persist, request an appointment with our specialists.

Normal changes in the body with age and also hormonal changes, especially in the female sex, have been linked as possible causes.

There are also other cases of dry eye, usually more serious, related to autoimmune diseases, in which the body attacks tissues of the body itself, known as Sjögren's syndrome, which is also accompanied by dry mouth and can be associated with rheumatoid arthritis.

Dry eye syndrome can be very uncomfortable. Dryness can generate characteristic symptoms such as a sensation of a foreign body or grit in the eyes, and it can also make you feel dry, stinging or irritated. Occasionally they can cause blurred vision which improves with blinking.

There are many factors that can worsen dry eye such as dry weather, smoke, pollution, the use of contact lenses, eye allergies, the consumption of certain medications such as antihistamines, antidepressants or acne medication and certain ophthalmic surgeries. such as refractive surgery.

The diagnosis is normally made in the ophthalmological examination, although sometimes your ophthalmologist may request the placement of special paper strips to measure the amount of tears (Schirmer test) and the placement of special stains on the ocular surface to evaluate its alterations.

Additionally, another factor to take into account in dry eye syndrome is the quantity and quality of production of a special oil produced by glands on the edge of the eyelids (meibomian glands).

Treatment ranges from home measures to improve oil production in the eyelid glands, the use of lubricating drops or gel, and in some more advanced cases the use of more powerful medications such as immunomodulators (cyclosporine and tacrolimus) or anti-inflammatories. steroids. Special plugs can also be used in the tear punctum, so that the tear remains on the surface of the eye longer.

Traditionally it presents with inflammation, red border of the eyelids, peeling and itching. It can also cause burning eyes, red eyes and the sensation of foreign bodies in the eye.

Normally it is not a disease that leads to loss of vision, but it does condition the eye to be prone to multiple alterations such as losing eyelashes, repeated infections, dry eye, eyelid deformities, among others.

It is normally associated with inflammation of small glands that we have inside the eyelids called Meibomian Glands, which are responsible for producing the fat essential for good lubrication of the ocular surface.

Blepharitis can be infectious, non-infectious or mixed. Among the infectious causes, the most common is blepharitis due to Demodex folliculorum (a microparasite), but bacteria, viruses and fungi may also be involved.

The patient who suffers from blepharitis must follow a very specific guideline for cleaning the eyelids, which we carry out here at our COTA Advanced Technology Ophthalmology Center.

An evaluation by an ophthalmologist specializing in the anterior segment is very important to determine the location of the blepharitis, try to identify the different causes, and depending on this, offer the best treatment alternatives, which includes permanent and constant hygiene of the eye. external part of the eyes, the use of compresses at a certain temperature, and in more complex situations, cleaning by trained personnel, the use of topical or oral antibiotics, or even small surgical procedures.

It occurs with greater prevalence in equatorial countries such as Colombia, it affects men more than women and its peak appearance is between 20 and 30 years of age.

The symptoms it produces are redness, foreign body sensation, burning and stabbing pain. Pterygium can alter the quality of vision by inducing corneal astigmatism, worsening dry eye, and when they are large, they can approach and even exceed the visual axis, deteriorating vision.

These pathologies can be treated initially with lubricating eye drops or short courses of anti-inflammatories; If symptoms persist, rapid growth is observed, or threaten the visual axis, surgical management could be considered.

In surgery, what is sought is to remove the conjunctiva and anomalous fibrovascular tissue and exchange it for healthy conjunctiva that is fixed with sutures for a period of no more than 10 days. Pterygium can recur if the patient does not protect themselves from UV rays and if the eyes are not adequately lubricated.