Keratoconus/PMD

Keratoconus is a non-inflammatory protrusion of the cornea.  It is characterized by progressive steepening and thinning of the cornea.  As the conditions progressives, the patient experiences a decrease in vision quality.  Onset is usually in the teen years or early 20’s and is found in both men and women.  It happens in both eyes but one eye usually starts first and therefore the vision affect is asymmetric.  The second eye can lag behind the first eye by 5 – 7 years.

As the condition progresses, the cornea becomes increasingly distorted such that a change in glasses or soft lens prescription will no longer correct vision adequately.  The patient will now require a gas permeable contact lens to achieve acceptable vision.  While the progression of the disease is unpredictable and does interfere with sharpness of vision, it rarely causes blindness.  With the latest in contact lens technology, adequate vision and excellent comfort is possible without the need for a corneal transplant.

Because the disease will progress, it is important that the lenses are fitted with great care and evaluated at least annually.  Dr. Armitage uses the latest in contact lens technology including Rose K, Synergeyes Hybrid, and Scleral contact lenses to custom fit the lens to each individual eye since all keratoconus eyes are unique.

Pellucid Marginal Degeneration

PMD is a bilateral corneal disorder hallmarked by inferior corneal thinning, resulting in high degrees of against-the-rule corneal astigmatism. It affects both genders, most often between the ages of 20 and 40, with no apparent hereditary transmission. It is differentiated from keratoconus in that with PMD, central corneas retain normal thickness.

Dr. Armitage uses the latest in contact lens technology including Rose K IC, SynergEyes Hybrid, and and Scleral contact lenses to custom fit the lens to each individual eye.