The Global
Keratoconus Congress, which took place from Jan. 26th to 28th, was
better than we'd ever hoped for with 400 registrants from 30
countries and a strong supportive cast of exhibitors. I'm pleased to
tell you that we're already planning the second GKC for Jan. 25th to
27th, 2008, and it will once again take place in Las Vegas.
The
meeting started with Jay Krachmer, MD, presenting his arguments for
eye rubbing and the increased rigidity of the cornea with age as
factors in the development and stabilization of keratoconus,
respectively. Later Yaron Rabinowitz, MD, presented evidence for the
genetic etiology of keratoconus, while Chris Kenney, PhD, explained
its pathophysiology. There was an excellent review of surgical
options by David Schanzlin, MD, and Dr. Rabinowitz reviewed
indications for and good results with Intacs for Keratoconus
(Addition Technology, Inc.).
Numerous
clinicians offered insight on the fitting of scleral and semiscleral
lenses, and the Collaborative Longitudinal Evaluation of Keratoconus
(CLEK) Study data was reviewed in numerous reports. A number of
participants discussed the benefits, when indicated, of the
off-label use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents and
cyclosporine in keratoconus patients for associated allergy and dry
eye symptoms, respectively.
Cathy
Warren, RN, reviewed the many services available from the National
Keratoconus Foundation, from billing to support groups.
Our
international participants explained how riboflavin and ultraviolet
radiation are being used to stabilize keratoconus and shared their
many insights on scleral and other special lens designs for
keratoconus.
More
information on the GKC is available at
www.healthcareconferencegroup.com as well as in this
month's News Spectrum, and additional
reports and articles detailing the educational program and what new
information about keratoconus the GKC unveiled will appear in future
issues.
JOSEPH T.
BARR, OD, MS, FAAO, EDITOR