Keratoconus Clinical Trials 2023

What Are Keratoconus Clinical Trials?

Keratoconus is an eye condition that affects roughly one in 2,000 or 0.05% of the population. This condition is characterized by a change in shape of the lens over the eye, known as the cornea. Keratoconus gets its name from the abnormal shape of this lens, where 'kerato' refers to the cornea, and 'conus' refers to the cone shape of the cornea.

Typically, the cornea is a dome-shaped lens. However, patients with keratoconus have corneas that slowly change shape over time. This change can happen over the years, with some patients only noticing a difference in their cornea during the later stages of the condition. The shape also changes from a standard dome-shaped cornea to a cone shape.

When the cornea warps to a cone shape, it can cause blurred vision and other visual impairments. Keratoconus also affects both eyes, but it's not uncommon for one eye to be significantly worse.

Keratoconus clinical trials are undertaken to better understand this condition, how it develops, and how to treat, manage, or cure the disease in patients.

Why Is Keratoconus Being Studied Through Clinical Trials?

Unlike degenerative eye diseases or conditions, keratoconus is a condition that affects children and adults between ten and thirty. The condition may develop over years but can severely impair a patient's vision.

If the condition is diagnosed early, it is easier to treat. However, as keratoconus progresses to later stages, it may be more difficult to rectify. The treatments may range from specialized equipment such as contact lenses to surgeries performed by medical professionals.

A corneal graft is one of the most widely used surgical treatments for keratoconus. However, these grafts are not a curative treatment. Instead, the surgeries may be helpful to prolong the time between medical interventions or treatments that patients need.

After a corneal graft, the success rate for the surgery is around 91%. But over time, the effectiveness of this surgery is reduced. Typically, patients who have undergone a corneal graft will experience a recurrence of keratoconus after nine years.

Because the effectiveness of this surgery, among other keratoconus treatments, is reduced over time, there is no cure for keratoconus. There are also currently no preventative measures against the condition. So medical researchers need to undertake clinical trials to find more permanent solutions.

What Are The Types of Treatments Available For Keratoconus?

Besides corneal graft surgeries, several other types of treatments are available for keratoconus. During the early stages of the condition, patients may treat or manage their symptoms with medications or specialized contact lenses.

While these treatments are relatively effective, researchers are constantly garnering new information through clinical trials. These trials typically use pre-existing keratoconus patients and are performed to find new treatments, therapies, diagnostic techniques and criteria, curative treatments, and potential prevention.

What Are Some Recent Breakthrough Clinical Trials For Keratoconus?

While there has been limited medical research on keratoconus, medical researchers have made significant breakthroughs. These breakthroughs include:

2017: Accelerated VS Corneal Cross-linking – This 2017 study suggested that accelerated cross-linking resulted in more effective long-term treatment for keratoconus. This research means that accelerated cross-linking is a better option for keratoconus treatment.

2023: Corneal Cross-linking – In a study by CXL Ophthalmics Inc, researchers used a new type of corneal cross-linking to assess the effects on patients with keratoconus. Patients who were given this treatment over six and twelve months displayed a significant improvement in overall visual acuity and the curve of the anterior cornea, thereby improving the condition.