Dear Colleagues,

In recent years we have observed an increasing interest for the diagnosis and treatment of keratoconus. The dynamic development of diagnostic and therapeutic methods constantly gives us new tools and opens up opportunities to improve the treatment options in patients with corneal ectasia. New sophisticated diagnostic tools allow us to obtain fast, accurate and detailed results and diagnosis in early stages of ectasia enabling the prompt treatment. In the mean time, new diagnostic possibilities allow precise determination of the severity of disease and consequently the choice of the appropriated treatment method. The therapy aims to maintain or improve visual acuity and the corneal cross-linking (CXL) is actually the most performed procedure to halt the ectasia progression. Nevertheless, in cases with visual impairment, corneal surgery such as lamellar or penetrating keratoplast and refractive surgery are performed to restore the visual acuity. Particularly, refractive procedures aiming to improve the visual acuity in KC are of growing interest. Progress in refractive surgery has enabled the use of treatment protocols based on CXL and surface ablation procedures to improve visual function. CXL performed using different protocols combined with photorefractive keratectomy or implantation of intracorneal rings represents a new approach in the management of corneal ectasia.  At the same time the successful use of femtolasers in corneal surgery both refractive and therapeutic, opened new horizons for keratoconus treatment.

In this special issue we invite authors to submit articles on surgical advances in corneal surgery and refractive procedures performed in different stages of keratoconus. We encourage the authors to share their experience and the results of corneal cross linking protocols and surgical procedures used in keratoconus management. Information contained in this special issue will allow a further exchange of experiences and recommendations for ophthalmologists to optimize the therapy of keratoconus in different stages of this disease.

Prof. Dr. Anna M. Roszkowska
Dr. Maciej Kozak
Guest Editors
Dr. Katarzyna Sajak-Hydzik
Guest Editor Assistant

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• keratoconus
• corneal collagen cross linking (CXL)
• corneal surgery
• keratoplasty
• refractive surgery