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Free podcasts from the Association's recent seminars are available from the links below. The files are in mp3 format and can be listened to through your web browser or downloaded for use on an iPod or other mp3 player. • To listen to these files in your browser, download the Quicktime player. • To download these files to your computer hard disk, control-click (windows) or right-click (mac) on links below and choose save option. Keratoconus Australia seminar New contact lenses - by Richard Lindsay, optometrist (24 MB) A patient's view of corneal collagen crosslinking - Ainslie Fitzsimons (16 MB)
Below are a list of videos of Demystifying Keratoconus information seminars. These are available for $25 each in DVD format. Prices include GST and postage. Special rates are available for multiple purchases. Email us for more information. Payment can be made by electronic transfer/direct debit
to Or just send a cheque or money
order to
New contact lenses and a patient's view of corneal collagen crosslinking Corneal crosslinking, Intacs, Lamellar transplants and other new surgery for keratoconus: a review All about Corneal Collagen Crosslinking for keratoconus and the RVEEH trial Keratoconus: from gene to graft (if necessary) Advances in surgical and non-surgical options for keratoconus Contact lenses and keratoconus: Good eye days, Bad eye days Corneal transplant? get informed before giving consent Living with Keratoconus: Stories and Lessons Managing contact lenses for keratoconus A Stitch in Time: a (personal) history of corneal transplantation Intacs and Refractive Laser surgery: miracle cures or another false dawn?Going Eye to Eye: Corneal donations and eye banking in Australia Changing Perspectives: from health professional to emergency keratoconus patient Why do contact lenses have to be so hard?Beyond Diagnosis and A Parent's View Recent developments in corneal surgery
Associate Professor Grant Snibson and Dr Christine Wittig Joanne Brooks - A patients story
Corneal collagen crosslinking (CXL) is a new treatment that provides the unprecedented hope that progression in keratoconus can be slowed or halted. Although still experimental, the treatment is now being offered by corneal surgeons to keratoconus patients around Australia. But is it safe and really effective? And if so, who can benefit from this procedure? The world's first randomized clinical trial of CXL began in Melbourne at the Centre for Eye Research Australia (CERA) in 2006 and has since been extended to Brisbane. Early results were promising. Now, after three years, some of the answers to these questions are emerging. Associate Professor Grant Snibson and Dr Christine Wittig, principal investigators on the CXL trial at CERA, presented the most recent results from the trial and explained what these mean for patients considering this treatment. They also discussed plans for future research which will hopefully extend the pool of keratoconus patients which may be able to benefit from CXL. Both speakers answered many questions from attendees about their research and the implications of this work for the development of treatments for keratoconus in the future. Joanne Brooks, Australia's first trial participant, provided a colorful account of her personal experience leading up to and since the treatment. This is a must-see video for anyone considering corneal collagen crosslinking for themselves or their children.
Richard
Lindsay, Melbourne optometrist & contact lens fitter
A patient’s story about corneal collagen
crosslinking
Ainslie Fitzsimons, participant in the RVEEH 3C-R trial
When
diagnosed with keratoconus, you would like to think there
is a quick fix for the condition and associated vision
loss. Surgery immediately comes to mind. But for most patients,
the most effective solution is a lot less drastic and has
a more predictable outcome. Initially, it will be spectacles.
If the condition progresses, it will be contact lenses.
Contact lenses - usually
rigid gas permeable - are unquestionably the best, long-term
solution for vision loss caused by keratoconus. When correctly
fitted, they can offer long wearing times, relatively easy
maintenance and most importantly, excellent vision. Over the
past decade, contact lenses for keratoconus have evolved dramatically
and today there is a wide range of options for keratoconic
corneas, which would have required a corneal transplant in
the past.
A Patient’s Story
Corneal collagen crosslinking (3C-R)
is a new surgical procedure designed to strengthen the
cornea and stop progression in keratoconus. The world's
largest clinical trial of 3C-R is taking place at Melbourne's
Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital.
• In the past, surgery was considered a last-resort option for keratoconus. Today, patients at different stages of keratoconus are being offered a range of options, some still experimental. Amongst these are corneal collagen crosslinking, Intacs and lamellar corneal transplantation, all of which are now becoming available in Australia. Dr Michael Loughnan and Dr Terry Ong discussed the latest surgical developments for keratoconus, who can benefit from them, when they should be considered by patients. Particular emphasis was given to their risks and limitations. The presentation also included an overview of keratoconus, which will be of particular interest to newly diagnosed patients seeking more information about their condition and its management. Dr Loughnan and Dr Ong are Melbourne corneal surgeons with many years of experience in the field of keratoconus in Australia and overseas. Both work at the corneal clinic of Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital in Melbourne and in private practice. •
Trials of the corneal collagen crosslinking (3C-R) treatment for keratoconus are well underway around Australia. Dr Christine Wittig, Research Fellow at the Centre for Eye Research Australia, presented an update on the Melbourne 3C-R trial which began almost 12 months ago. The trial is currently following 38 treated eyes and early results are positive. She also provided information about the Brisbane trial which recently started. Dr Wittig explained recent changes in the trial protocol, which should open the trial to more potential patients. Dr Tim Steele, research fellow at the Melbourne Excimer Laser Group, presented a further update on the outcomes of the genetics study of families with keratoconus conducted in Melbourne. Both speakers
answered questions about their research and the implications of this work
for the development of treatments for keratoconus in the future. •
A new treatment based on corneal collagen crosslinking developed at the Dresden University in Germany has had success in slowing and even halting the progression of keratoconus. Dr Snibson and Dr Wittig, who participated in the Dresden trials, are about to start a larger study at Melbourne's Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital. The study aims to prove the treatment's effectiveness in the hope that it could become widely available in Australia in the near future. This seminar provided patients with a unique opportunity to hear about the treatment and the trial, and to question the study convenors about its implications for all of us with keratoconus. It was the Association's biggest-ever event, attended by over 110 persons. • 
Keratoconus:
from gene to graft (if necessary)October 25, 2005 Speakers Pr Doug Coster, ophthalmologist and corneal surgeon In his presentation, Prof Coster attempted to clarify the reasons for the increase in frequency of keratoconus, looked at the genetics of the condition, and reviewed the available treatments. Someinterventions are well established and are proven to be effective - others are more developmental. He outlined a decision tree for the treatment of keratoconus based on the scientific evidence that is available. Prof Doug Coster is an internationally-recognized expert in keratoconus research and treatments with over 30 years experience in Australia and overseas. He currently holds a range of distinguished positions including Lions Professor of Ophthalmology at Flinders University (SA), Senior Director of Ophthalmology, Flinders Medical Centre, is editorial board member of several international ophthalmology publications and serves on a number of government advisory committees. Prof Coster also created the Australian Corneal Graft Registry which tracks the outcomes of some 14,000 corneal transplants Australia-wide. Highly-decorated author of over 170 papers on keratoconus, gene therapy and corneal disease, he has a profound insight into the risk factors for keratoconus and best-practice management of this condition. Dr
Tim Steele •
Speakers Dr
Anthony Maloof, MBBS (Hons), MBiomedE, FRANZCO,
FRACS
ophthalmologist and corneal surgeon Jim
Kokkinakis, BOptom FAAO ISCLS A
video of the seminar is now available.
•
Rigid contact lenses are the primary means for restoring best vision to most people with keratoconus. Yet despite being fitted with the best lenses possible and adhering to good compliance practices, many contact lens wearers with keratoconus complain of periodic contact lens discomfort or intolerance. Speaking at our May 4 seminar in Melbourne, Mark Roth, clinical optometrist, reviewed some of the reasons why patients have "bad eye days" including common complaints related to dry eyes, allergies and general eye redness. Mr Roth provided a detailed analysis of the causes of these conditions. He then outlined a range of options for their management and ways of improving the ocular surface. Mr Roth also discussed some of new contact lens cleaning agents which can greatly facilitate lens care and comfort.The seminar was attended by 65 members, their families and optometrists who took advantage of the opportunity to ask numerous questions about eye and contact lens care. Seminar photos can be found here. If you wear contact lenses and you weren’t able to join us, you should watch this video. Place your order now. Mark Roth is a Melbourne-based clinical optometrist in private practice. He also has a degree in pharmacology. Mark works in a specialist contact lens practice in the areas of keratoconus, continuous wear lenses, paediatric contact lenses, orthokeratology and therapeutic management of the problematic contact lens wearer. • Corneal transplant? get informed
before giving consentNovember 10, 2004 Speakers Dr Poon provided a detailed explanation of the stages of keratoconus and the latest non-surgical and surgical options for patients at each stage. His description of the surgical options, including partial (deep lamellar) and full thickness corneal transplants, will answer most questions in the mind of those facing the prospect of a corneal transplant in the near future - or anyone interested in these procedures. Pam Mayne described her own corneal transplant experiences, how she decided to embark upon that course and what happened during and after the operations. This video gives a comprehensive overview of keratoconus and its treatments and should be seen by everybody who has keratoconus. • Living with keratoconus: Stories and LessonsAugust 24, 2004 Speakers Speakers at the August open forum discussed a range of topics concerning keratoconus and its management from both an eye-carer and patient point of view. This video provides a guide to patients about what to expect as their keratoconus evolves, managing the switch from glasses to contact lenses, the latest developments in the artificial cornea and intacs and finally strategies for taking control of your keratoconus. • Speaker Mr Russell Lowe, Melbourne optometrist Mr Lowe gave a detailed explanation of how contact lenses assist in restoring vision to keratoconus patients. He also discussed new developments in contact lens technology and presented practical advice to assist patients in managing contact lens wear for the best long term results. A must-see video
for anybody interested in learning more about creating a long-term sustainable
system for caring for their contact lenses... and their eyes. •
Speaker
Dr Dick Galbraith, corneal surgeon Major advances in keratoconus treatments over the past generation have sharply reduced the impact, although not the incidence, of this potentially-serious eye disease. Corneal transplants are today the most successful of all organ transplants, while advanced contact lens materials have improved the prognosis for most keratoconus patients. But it wasn't always so. Prior to the development of reliable corneal transplantation techniques, even moderate keratoconus could result in severe visual impairment. So what was it like then and how have things changed? What does a diagnosis of keratoconus really mean for a patient today and how should a patient deal with eye-carers? What should keratoconus patients expect in the future? Dr J.E.K. "Dick" Galbraith is one of the country's most experienced corneal surgeons and was a pioneer in the introduction and development of modern transplantation techniques in Australia. During a distinguished career spanning 32 years including 22 years as head of the eye unit at the Royal Melbourne Hospital, he performed over 1000 corneal transplants and published innumerable papers on the subject. Dr Galbraith has also done extensive eye care work and training with local and regional indigenous groups and remains active in that field. As such, he is uniquely qualified to discuss just about every aspect of keratoconus and its management. At our June 25 seminar, Dr Galbraith traced the evolution of keratoconus treatments and corneal transplantation in Australia and provided a swag of fascinating and often hilarious stories about the history of corneal surgery. A must-see video Email us if you would like to buy this video. • Dr Laurence Sullivan, Melbourne cornea, cataract and refractive surgeon In the search for that ever-elusive cure for keratoconus, international research is focusing on intacs as a simple, surgical means of slowing if not halting advancing corneal warpage. But what are they, do they work and is the procedure being performed in Australia? Is laser surgery appropriate for keratoconus patients and if so, under what circumstances? Melbourne cornea, cataract and refractive surgeon, Dr Laurence Sullivan discussed these techniques and provided answers to many of the questions surrounding their use in the treatment of keratoconus. •
Most people with keratoconus will hopefully never require a corneal transplant. But the unpredictable nature of keratoconus means that we all think about it at some stage of our lives. So where does the cornea used to replace your own keratoconic one actually come from? How is it selected? Where is it stored? For how long? How is it screened for diseases? How is it matched with your eye? Why are waiting lists for corneal transplants so long? Who has priority for corneal tissue when it becomes available? What happens if a cornea is not available on the scheduled day of the operation? What is the lifespan of a transplanted cornea? Can artificial corneas be used instead of human corneas? When will stem cell research make it possible for us to grow our own replacement corneas? How can friends and family assist with organ donation? Dr Graeme Pollock and Dr Grant Snibson answered these questions in a fascinating presentation to the Association's members at our October 23, 2002 seminar. Matt Vaughan, committee member of Keratoconus Australia Inc, discussed progress in his inquiry into the health rebate system for keratoconus patients and how it could be improved. (see Events) •
Judith Glazner is a psychologist and nurse at the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne. For the past 10 years she has worked with young people with cystic fibrosis (a life limiting chronic illness) and their families. About 2 years ago Judith was diagnosed with keratoconus and experienced a rapid deterioration in her vision. She also suffered a spontaneous corneal perforation. After an operation to attempt to “glue” the hole, she was then given a tissue patch graft using a donor cornea. Ms Glazner gave a moving account of how she coped with the sudden switch in roles from health professional to a patient with an incurable, degenerative eye disease facing serious vision loss. Despite her training as a psychologist and experience in providing health care support for others, her adjustment to the diagnosis of keratoconus and the subsequent need for corneal surgery proved a painful transition. Ms Glazner was able to draw on her experience as a health professional to provide guidance and coping strategies for others diagnosed with keratoconus, and facing the psychological challenges of living with all that accompanies this little-known eye disease. Larry Kornhauser, president of Keratoconus Australia Inc, discussed support and referral work being carried out by the Association and provided some tips for people finding difficulty in negotiating the health system. •
Richard Lindsay, optometrist A panel of expert practitioners and users discussed the many aspects
of contact lenses fitting and long term wearing. •
Dr Don Collie, ophthalmologist Dr Collie outlined the development of keratoconus, reasons for corneal surgery, use of local vs general anesthetics in corneal grafting, possible complications and after-care. He answered many detailed questions about grafts and their role in restoring vision. He also discussed keratoconus and genetics and the role of laser eye surgery in keratoconus. Ms Elena Rullo, former treasurer of Keratoconus Australia, discussed her experiences as a parent of an adolescent who required a corneal graft. We highly recommend this video to anybody recently diagnosed with keratoconus and facing the prospect of a corneal graft in the near future, and parents of young children diagnosed with keratoconus. • Dr Michael Loughnan, ophthalmologist The first seminar in the Demystifying Keratoconus Series was held at the Victorian College of Optometry in June 2000. The keynote speaker at the seminar was corneal surgeon Dr Michael Loughnan who outlined the latest developments in keratoconus surgery. Dr Loughnan also answered questions on a range of issues relating to keratoconus and its management. |
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