An early-onset corneal condition that is unusually common in New Zealand, and very treatable when caught early. What it is, how cross-linking stops it, how scleral lenses restore vision, and who provides this care in Hamilton.
Keratoconus is a condition in which the cornea — the clear front window of the eye — thins and bulges into a cone shape. It usually starts in the teens or twenties, often in both eyes but unevenly, and it is more common in New Zealand than in most countries, particularly among Māori and Pacific people. Early signs are easy to miss: frequent prescription changes, glasses that never seem quite right, increasing astigmatism, glare and ghosting around lights at night, and eye rubbing (which makes it worse). A corneal topography scan, which most Hamilton optometrists can do or refer for, makes the diagnosis.
Keratoconus progresses, and the window to stop it is while it is still progressing. Corneal cross-linking, a day procedure performed by an ophthalmologist that stiffens the cornea with riboflavin and ultraviolet light, halts progression in most eyes. In the Waikato the public pathway is referral to Waikato Hospital's eye service; it is also available privately. Cross-linking stops the disease getting worse; it does not reverse the shape change, so vision after cross-linking still usually needs correction.
Specialty contact lens fitting for keratoconus is concentrated in a few practices. Rose Optometry in Frankton lists keratoconus and scleral lens fitting as a core service (a keratoconus consultation is $139 for 30 minutes or $169 for 45), and its optometrist Jason Shen, who also works at Rototuna Optometrists, has a special interest in keratoconus and specialty contact lenses. Cross-linking and surgical care are provided by corneal ophthalmologists — your optometrist will refer you, publicly to Waikato Hospital's eye service or privately in Hamilton (Hamilton Eye Clinic; Chris Murphy, a corneal and anterior-segment ophthalmologist, holds a Monday clinic at Flagstaff Eye Care). For an in-depth patient resource, including the NZ cross-linking pathway, see Keratoconus NZ (a site also published by Rose Optometry).
Do you fit scleral lenses in-house? Do you have corneal topography? How many keratoconus patients do you manage? Will you co-manage with my ophthalmologist, and will you refer me for cross-linking assessment if my scans show progression? Keratoconus is a long relationship with a practice; those answers matter more than price.
Listed when the practice's website names keratoconus or scleral lenses as a service. Ophthalmology (cross-linking, surgery) is covered in the text above.
Frankton · Independent
Frequent changes in prescription, rising astigmatism, blurred or ghosted vision that glasses don't fully fix, glare and halos at night, and often a history of eye rubbing or allergies. It usually begins in the teens or twenties. A corneal topography scan confirms it.
Corneal cross-linking can be accessed through the public hospital system on referral when progression is documented, at no charge to eligible residents. Specialty contact lenses (RGP or scleral) are generally paid privately; some costs may be partly covered by health insurance.
No, but it can be stopped. Cross-linking halts progression in the great majority of eyes. Vision is then managed with glasses, rigid or scleral contact lenses; corneal transplant is needed in only a small minority.
Rose Optometry lists keratoconus and scleral lens fitting as a specialty service and publishes its consultation fees. Other practices may refer specialty fits; ask whether the fitting is done in-house.
Yes — vigorous eye rubbing is strongly associated with keratoconus and its progression. If itchy eyes from allergy drive the rubbing, treating the allergy is part of managing the keratoconus.
Rose Optometry fits scleral and RGP lenses in-house and publishes its consultation fees.