Dr. Raymond Stein recently spoke at the 2018 World Ophthalmology Congress of the International Council of Ophthalmology in Barcelona, Spain. The event brings ophthalmologists from more than 140 countries together every two years to network with one another and learn about new advances in the field. Dr. Stein was invited to speak to the international audience about the treatment of keratoconus using topography-guided PRK and corneal cross-linking.
Innovative Treatments for Keratoconus
In his presentation, “Sculpting with Light: Topography-guided PRK and CXL for Keratoconus,” Dr. Stein discussed his experience with over 5,000 procedures in more than 9 years.
Keratoconus is a progressive disease affecting the cornea, or the clear covering of the eye. A healthy cornea is round and shaped like a dome. But in cases of keratoconus, the cornea thins and takes on a conical shape, making it challenging to see clearly.
Dr. Stein and his colleagues at Bochner Eye Institute were one of the first practices in Canada to treat keratoconus with photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) and corneal-crosslinking, a combination that strengthens and stabilizes the cornea.
In this approach, Dr. Stein first performs topography-guided PRK, which is similar to LASIK, to smooth the cornea. A corneal topography map is created prior to surgery in order to identify the unique irregularities that cause decreased vision. The layer of epithelial surface cells is removed from the eye; then, the doctor sculpts the underlying tissue with an excimer laser to smooth out the irregularities.
Next, during corneal cross-linking, Dr. Stein applies riboflavin (B2) drops to the eyes and activates them with a UV light. This strengthens the links between collagen fibers in the cornea, enhancing its rigidity. When performed correctly, corneal cross-linking can delay or stop the progression of keratoconus.
About the World Ophthalmology Congress
The 36th World Ophthalmology Congress took place June 16-19, 2018, at the Fira Gran Via conference center. The conference was hosted by the Spanish Society of Ophthalmology and co-hosted by the European Society of Ophthalmology and Spanish Society of Implant-Refractive Ocular Surgery. Dr. Stein spoke at one of 350 sessions focused on subspecialties in ophthalmology.
For more information about Dr. Stein’s presentation or Bochner Eye Institute’s work with keratoconus treatment, please call 416-960-2020 or email us today.