Clinical Scorecard: Assessment of a Keratoconus Management Program Led by Allied Health Professionals at a Tertiary Care Facility in the UK
At a Glance
Category
Detail
Condition
Key Mechanisms
Multifactorial aetiology with mechanical breakdown of collagen bonds due to eye rubbing; management includes monitoring, refractive correction, rigid gas-permeable lenses, and corneal transplantation.
Target Population
Care Setting
Key Highlights
Keratoconus is characterized by bilateral, often asymmetric corneal ectasia.
Collagen cross-linking (CXL) is the only treatment that can slow or halt disease progression.
Allied health professionals (AHPs) are utilized for specialized tasks in keratoconus management, including patient assessment and follow-up.
Monitoring includes corneal topography, visual acuity, and refractive error.
Patients are monitored for a minimum of 5 years post-CXL.
Guideline-Based Recommendations
Diagnosis
Management
Early keratoconus managed with glasses; severe cases may require corneal transplantation, including DALK or PKP.
Monitoring & Follow-up
Risks
Patient & Prescribing Data
CXL performed using an accelerated protocol; post-operative medications include prednisolone acetate and levofloxacin, with implications for recovery and monitoring.
Clinical Best Practices
Utilize AHPs for patient assessment and management under consultant supervision.
Follow a standardized protocol for CXL and patient monitoring.
Ensure regular communication between AHPs and consultant ophthalmologists to enhance patient care.
In the “Cataract Surgery in Patients with Corneal Disease” session at the 2025 ASCRS meeting, Zeba A. Syed, MD, provided an overview of several corneal diseases and what physicians need to know when it comes to treating cataract patients.
Cornea, cataract, refractive, and anterior segment surgery remain at the forefront of ophthalmic innovation, yet several challenges persist that demand critical reflection and collaborative solutions. As we navigate 2025, a few key issues warrant our attention.
