Keratoconus treatment

Keratoconus treatment is available with the most modern method only in Knezović Polyclinic.

What is keratoconus?

Keratoconus is a degenerative disease that affects the front of the eye called the cornea. It is most common among the younger population. The cause of the disease is still unknown. A genetic predisposition has been established for individuals who have diagnosed keratoconus in the family.

Keratoconus Diagnostics

The disease is usually diagnosed when the keratoconus is advanced, the cornea is flat, irregular and weakened. As the first symptoms most often affect the visual acuity, the first step in diagnostics is to visualize the sharpness to compare the situation with the previous one.

Keratoconus is diagnosed with advanced corneal topographers, which are a more precise method for monitoring progression of keratoconus.

Keratoconus treatment

The Athens Protocol is a procedure aimed at normalizing the surface of the cornea or reducing dioptre. In addition, irregular astigmatism corrects and there is a significant improvement in visual acuity, and the stopping of the progression of keratoconus and the consequences of this disease. Keracotonus treatment with this method is exclusively performed in our clinic.

The cauldron begins with the initial “treatment” of the corneal surface by means of laser surgery by phototherapeutic keratectomy, which removes the epithelium of the cornea.

It is then subjected to the so-called “topo-guided” topographic guided ablation. This procedure greatly reduces the micronutility of the surface of the eye to a point that does not jeopardize the safety of the patient. Keratoconus treatment guarantees a stable cornea.

Excimer laser only processes a layer of thickness up to 50 micrometers in order to preserve the mechanical structure of the cornea, which is further enhanced by the simultaneous application of corneal cross-linking (CXL).

The combined procedure achieves a synergistic effect that is achieved. The TGP procedure itself permits the effective normalization of the corneal surface, which directly improves the functional vision. If TGP is performed after CXL, the TGP procedure partially invalidates the effectiveness of CXL. However, if TGP is performed at the same time i.e. immediately before CXL as in the Athens Protocol, then it allows deep penetration of riboflavin (and UVA air) into the cornea. This results in a greater modulation of covalent bonds in the collagen and significantly enhances the corneal strength due to the increased cross-linking of collagen fibers deep in the cornea. In addition, by combining these two procedures, the postoperative recovery time and the patient’s absenteeism are significantly reduced.

Keratoconus is successfully treated with this method. According to Kanellopoulos research, the Athens Protocol reduced the need for graft transplantation in keratoconus in Greece for a sparse 90%.

All steps are carried out under the special control of top topography. After this procedure, the cornea gets a more correct contour, the diopter decreases. Improved visual acuity improves and makes it easier to adapt to contact lenses if needed.

The whole procedure is completely painless, it is done in local anesthesia (drops, without injection) and the preparation of the patient is completed in about 2 hours.

Results after the Athens Protocol
As a medical institution with the greatest experience in the region in carrying out such and similar (topographic-guided) interventions, we can boast excellent results after the Athens Protocol.

Kertokonus treatment with state-of-the-art technology in our clinic!