• Doctors
  • Samir Melki, MD, PhD
    • Samir Melki - Curriculum Vitae
    • View Dr. Melki′s Books
  • Tatsuo Hirose, MD
  • Mahnaz Nouri, MD
  • Kameran Lashkari, MD
  • Macie Finkelstein, MD
  • Dr. Viktoriya Vilkomir
  • John Lee,  MD
• Patient Financing
• Eyecare Information
  • General
    • Allergies and the Eyes
    • Chalazion
    • Conjuctivitus
    • Eye Care Facts and Myths
    • Eye Dangers
      • Champagne Corks
      • Fireworks
      • Jump-Starting Your Car
    • First Aid for Your Eyes
    • Herpes Zoster
    • How the Eye Works
    • How to Insert Eye Drops
    • How to View an Eclipse
    • Legal Blindness
    • Living with One Good Eye
    • Ophthalmologists / Optometrists / Opticians
    • Preventing Eye Injuries
    • Recycling Eye Glasses
    • Smoking and Eye Disease
    • Sports Eye Injuries
    • Tanning Beds
    • Viagra
    • Video Display Terminals
    • Workplace Eye Safety
    • Children′s Eye Safety
    • Giant Papillary Conjunctivitis (GPC)
    • Strabismus
    • Visual Field Testing
  • Patient Forms
  • Glaucoma
    • Alpha Agonists
    • African Ancestry
    • Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors
    • Prostaglandin Analogs & Prostamides
  • Cataract
  • Retina & Vitreous
  • Optics & Refraction
    • About Contact Lenses
    • Extended Wear Contact Lenses
    • Tinted Contact Lenses
    • Babies Vision
    • Childhood Reading Problems
    • Children and Vision
    • Color Vision
    • Contact Lenses and Cosmetics
    • Eye Glasses
    • Eye Glasses for Infants and Children
    • Caring for Your Contact Lenses
    • Low Vision
    • Refractive Errors
    • Sunglasses
  • Lid Margin Disease
  • Refractive Surgery
    • Intracorneal Rings
    • Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK)
    • Phototherapeutic Keratectomy (PTK)
    • Radial Keratotomy
    • Visian ICL
    • Laser Vision Correction
  • Birdshot Retinochoroidopathy (BR)
  • Macular Degeneration
  • Cataracts
  • Glaucoma
  • Coats′ Disease
  • Lattice Degeneration
  • Stargardt′s Disease
• Recent News
• Testimonials
• Clinical Research

Click here for Internet Consultations

Keratoconus

Boston Laser now offers the latest revolutionary treatments for Keratoconus: Intacs Surgery and Collagen Crosslinking.

Intacs are a relatively new treatment option. They are plastic rings inserted into the mid layer of the cornea to flatten it, changing the shape and location of the cone. This can improve uncorrected vision somewhat, but depending on the severity of the KC, may still require contact lenses for functional vision, but the fit would be easier. Intacs received FDA approval for keratoconus in August 2004.

Crosslinking is a procedure that allows stiffening of the collagen in the cornea to prevent further deterioration of the Keratoconus condition. The earlier the procedure is performed, the more effective are the results. Boston Laser is the first practice in boston to offer this procedure. Call us for details.

Keratoconus, often abbreviated to"KC", is a non-inflammatory eye condition in which the normally round dome-shaped cornea progressively thins causing a cone-like bulge to develop. This results in significant visual impairment. The cornea is the clear window of the eye and is responsible for refracting most of the light coming into the eye. Therefore, abnormalities of the cornea severely affect the way we see the world making simple tasks, like driving, watching TV or reading a book difficult.

In its earliest stages, keratoconus causes slight blurring and distortion of vision and increased sensitivity to glare and light. These symptoms usually first appear in the late teens and early twenties. Keratoconus may progress for 10-20 years and then slow or stabilize. Each eye may be affected differently.

Eyeglasses or soft contact lenses may be used to correct the mild nearsightedness and astigmatism caused in the early stages of keratoconus. As the disorder progresses and the cornea continues to thin and change shape, rigid gas permeable contact lenses are generally prescribed to correct vision more adequately. The contact lenses must be carefully fitted and frequent checkups and lens changes may be needed to achieve and maintain good vision.

In severe cases, a corneal transplant may be needed due to scarring, extreme thinning or contact lens intolerance. This is a surgical procedure that replaces the keratoconus cornea with healthy donor tissue.

The actual incidence of KC is not known. It is not a common eye disease, but it is by no means rare. It has been estimated to occur in 1 out of every 2,000 persons in the general population. Keratoconus is generally first diagnosed in young people at puberty or in their late teens. It is found in all parts of the United States and the rest of the world. It has no known significant geographic, cultural or social pattern.

In the earliest stages of KC, ordinary eyeglasses or soft contact lenses may correct the mild myopia (near-sightedness) and astigmatism that is experienced.

Ultimately Rigid Gas Permeable (RGP) contact lenses are needed to correct vision. These lenses are specially designed for keratoconus. There is no one"best" lens for KC- the best lens is one that fits without damaging the cornea, provides the best vision and wear time and comfort. Rely on an experienced KC lens fitter to choose the best lens for you. Contact lenses must be fit with great care and most KC patients need frequent checkups and changes to achieve good vision and comfort. Technological advances in both gas-permeable and soft lenses offer more and more possibilities for those with keratoconus to achieve clear, comfortable vision.

Corneal Transplant Surgery is necessary in approximately 15-20% of cases. In this surgery, much of the central cornea of the KC patient is removed and is replaced with the cornea of a recently deceased person. Surgery is normally suggested only if you cannot see well enough with your contact lenses to drive or function in your work, or if you are unable to wear contact lenses.

It is important that you develop a good relationship with your eye care practitioner, because you will be seeing a great deal of him or her over a long period of time. You should have confidence in him/her and find it comfortable to ask questions. Eye care practitioners are often very busy, but they should never be too busy to discuss your case with you. Find an eye care practitioner with whom you are comfortable then stay with that person.

Your eye care practitioner needs your cooperation. He/she has no control over what happens between office visits, you have. Think of him/her as a partner in the care of your eyes, but remember that you are primarily responsible for your own welfare. He/she is a resource person, a consultant who will prescribe a program of treatment and /or the medications to be used in that program Implementing the program is up to you. If you do not care diligently for your eyes it is unrealistic to expect anyone else to do so. If your eye care practitioner advises you to see him/her again at a certain time, keep the appointment. There is a good reason for it, and if you wonder what it is, ask them Inform any physicians that you may be seeing about your eye problem and any medication you are taking. If you are seeing an internist, a cardiologist, a dermatologist, a dentist or any other health professional, be sure they know about your keratoconus.

Be alert to any changes in your eye condition or in your vision. If you experience blurring, scratchiness, irritation, watering or any discharge, you must contact your eye care practitioner. This may signal a problem with your eyes' tolerance of your contact lenses or the need for refitting. You should, or course, take normal care of your eyes and avoid the use of any substance not prescribed by your eye care practitioner.

Video Center

• Jim Rice Former Boston Red Sox ALL-STAR gets LASIK with Dr. Samir Melki
• 5 News story on Implantable Contact Lenses featuring Dr. Samir Melki
• Dr. Melki featured on WHDH Channel 7 news
• Fletcher from WFNX, has the lasik procedure at Boston Laser