Keratoconus is a corneal dystrophy where the cornea thins gradually in the centre causing increased myopic astigmatism and sometimes reduction in visual acuity due to corneal scarring. It can be managed with spectacles and contact lenses or treated with medical intervention if it is progressing.
The Optometry team provide face to face Keratoconic Monitoring clinic (KMU) clinics and support virtual KMU clinics for patients who have been diagnosed with keratoconus.
Face to face KMU clinics are where keratoconic patients are seen by an optometrist for refraction, corneal topography and slit lamp biomicroscope examination.
Virtual clinics are where patients have their corneal topography (a special photograph of the front of their eye) and visions measured in a short visit by our medical imaging team.
The information gathered from these assessments is then subsequently compared with previous measurements by the optometry team and the patient informed of the outcome, usually either further annual virtual clinics or a face to face appointment with an optometrist in the KMU clinic.
Patients identified as stable are monitored for up to five years before being discharged, patients showing changes in their keratoconus are referred for consideration of possible treatment to the anterior segment clinics.
Clinics
This clinic runs on Monday afternoon and Thursday and Friday mornings in the main Eye clinic, level 04, Gledhow wing at St. James’s University Hospital. Virtual KMU clinics run on Wednesday mornings.
Waiting times
Please be aware that you may have a series of examinations from a range of clinicians and your appointment may take up to two hours to be completed from the time your appointment is booked. Virtual KMU may take up to half an hour.