Book Reveals How Olympic Gold Winner Beat Keratoconus

World renowned eye surgeon Dr. Brian Boxer Wachler will donate the proceeds from his book, How We Conquered Keratoconus,to the Special Olympics. Dr. Boxer Wachler is best known for inventing the Holcomb C3-R procedure to treat American bobsledder Steven Holcomb’s keratoconus. The book also details experiences of those whose vision was saved by the Holcomb C3-R. Read more.

Avedro Holds Iontophoresis License

Avedro will hold the exclusive license to EyeGate Pharma’s iontophoresis patents in the field of corneal collagen cross-linking, according to a press release. When cross-linking is used to treat degenerative keratoconus or post-LASIK ectasia, the corneal epithelium is commonly removed to allow riboflavin to penetrate into the cornea. Removal of the epithelium causes patient discomfort for up to 24 hours and a transient reduction in vision as the epithelium regrows. Iontophoresis can potentially deliver riboflavin into the cornea without the need to remove the epithelium. Read more.

B+L and UltraVision Coming Out with CLs for Keratoconus

"Silicone hydrogel contact lenses for patients with keratoconus and other irregular cornea conditions are now available in the United States from Bausch + Lomb as part of a global licensing agreement with UltraVision CLPL, according to a press release from Bausch + Lomb," reports OSN SuperSite. "KeraSoft IC contact lenses employ a combination of patented technologies to offer improved vision and comfort in cases of corneal irregularities caused by disease, trauma, transplants and surgical complications, the release said." Read more. 

It is a " a global licensing agreement to market KeraSoft contact lenses throughout the world. ...The financial terms of this deal remain confidential but with Bausch + Lomb now behind KeraSoft both companies expect the lenses will give sight back to literally millions of people around the world." Read more.

Patients with Keratoconus Gain Acuity with Pancorneal Toric Rigid Gas-Permeable CLs

Keratoconus Topography

"A novel pancorneal toric rigid gas-permeable contact lens significantly improved visual acuity and yielded discernable changes in corneal compression in patients with keratoconus, a study found." That's a post on the PCONSuperSite. "The retrospective study included 30 eyes with keratoconus that were fitted with a 12-mm contact lens with a toricity value of 0 to 1.2 between the end of the optical zone and the contact lens edge. Mean patient age was 48 years. Corneal topography was assessed at the time of patient enrollment and after at least 2 months of contact lens wear to determine horizontal and vertical keratometry values and mean corneal eccentricity. Best corrected visual acuity was also evaluated. Mean follow-up was 22 months."  Read more.

New Treatment Option for Patients with Keratoconus

"Patients in the United States who have the cornea-damaging disease keratoconus may soon be able to benefit from a new treatment that is already proving effective in Europe and other parts of the world," reports MedicalNewsToday. "The treatment, called collagen crosslinking, improved vision in almost 70 percent of patients treated for keratoconus in a recent three-year clinical trial in Milan, Italy. The treatment is in clinical trials in the United States and is likely to receive FDA approval in 2012. The results of the Milan study are being presented today at the 115th Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology in Orlando, Florida." Read more.

Free Christmas Gift for Keratoconus Patients

This holiday season patients are receiving the life-changing gift of clear and comfortable vision thanks to the Sharing Vision Grant Program sponsored by SynergEyes, Inc., according to a company press release.  This program was created to bring the new technologically advanced ClearKone hybrid contact lens to keratoconus patients who may otherwise not have access. Keratoconus is a degenerative eye disease that occurs 1 in 1,000 people causing substantially distorted vision and in many cases changes how they live their lives. Patients can apply for the program at http://www.TreatKeratoconus.com.