Astigmatism
Suspected progressive keratoconus. Vision is changing, astigmatism is increasing, spectacle prescriptions change frequently, or serial examinations show changes in corneal shape or thickness.
Almaty, Astana
Shymkent
Treatment of keratoconus and corneal diseases
from 19.500 ₸
Related services
Sign up for a consultation
About the service
Treatment for keratoconus and other corneal diseases depends on the cause, stage and progression. Goals may include improving vision, stopping progression or replacing damaged tissue.
Who the service is for
Keratoconus and ectasia
Corneal ectasia after refractive surgery. Corneal thinning or abnormal protrusion has been identified after laser vision correction and a cornea-specific treatment plan is required.
Astigmatism
Irregular astigmatism with poor spectacle correction. Conventional glasses do not provide sufficient image quality because of corneal irregularity, and specialised contact correction including individual or scleral lens fitting needs assessment.
Retreatment
Recurrent erosion or superficial opacity. Painful epithelial episodes recur or a superficial lesion is present for which therapeutic PTK may be considered after examination.
Lens wear schedule
Keratitis, corneal ulcer or marked inflammation. Pain, photophobia, redness, reduced vision or a corneal lesion requires assessment of the cause and targeted treatment.
Corneal condition
Corneal dystrophy, oedema or loss of transparency. The layer and depth of disease, endothelial status and the appropriate medical or surgical pathway need to be determined.
Scarring
Scar, severe deformation or major structural damage. An ophthalmic surgeon should assess reconstructive options and, when indicated, the current transplantation pathway.
Scarring
Cross-linking is not prescribed solely because keratoconus has been diagnosed. The decision depends on documented change, corneal thickness and condition, scarring, age and other clinical factors. Scleral lenses may improve optical quality but do not stop progressive ectasia. PTK is intended for selected superficial corneal pathology and is not a universal treatment for keratoconus.
Results and documents
Bring previous corneal topography or tomography, pachymetry , surgical records, and older spectacle or contact-lens prescriptions. Comparing serial tests is particularly useful when progression of keratoconus is suspected.
Allergies and tolerance
Tell the ophthalmologist about previous eye surgery or trauma, herpes-related eye disease, allergy, frequent eye rubbing and systemic conditions that may affect the cornea.
Specialist consultation
Provide a complete list of eye drops and systemic medicines you use regularly. Do not stop prescribed treatment on your own before the visit.
Corneal shape
If you wear contact lenses, ask KazRIED in advance whether they should be removed before topography or tomography and for how long.
Assessment before choosing treatment
The interval depends on lens type and the diagnostic protocol.
When urgent care is needed
Eye pain , marked photophobia, sudden visual loss, pronounced redness, chemical exposure or trauma require prompt in-person assessment rather than routine self-treatment.
When urgent care is needed
Prompt in-person ophthalmic assessment is required for sudden severe pain, marked photophobia, rapidly reduced vision, a white or grey corneal spot, chemical injury, penetrating trauma, or a painful red eye in a contact-lens wearer. In keratoconus, sudden marked blur with corneal swelling may represent acute hydrops. This page does not confirm that KazRIED provides 24-hour emergency care.
Limitations and safety
Prompt in-person ophthalmic assessment is required for sudden severe pain, marked photophobia, rapidly reduced vision, a white or grey corneal spot, chemical injury, penetrating trauma, or a painful red eye in a contact-lens wearer. In keratoconus, sudden marked blur with corneal swelling may represent acute hydrops. This page does not confirm that KazRIED provides 24-hour emergency care.
Book a consultation
Stages
Stage 1
Consultation and history
The ophthalmologist reviews symptoms, visual change, previous prescriptions, contact-lens use, surgery, trauma, allergy and inflammatory episodes.
Stage 2
Corneal examination.
Transparency, surface condition, scarring, inflammation, erosions and other anterior-segment findings are assessed.
Stage 3
Cornea-focused testing.
When indicated, corneal topography or tomography, pachymetry, endothelial microscopy and other tests are performed.
Stage 4
Define the primary goal.
The clinician separates disease stabilisation from optical rehabilitation, treatment of a superficial lesion, or surgical reconstruction.
Stage 5
Method selection
Cross-linking, PTK, contact-lens correction, medical therapy or a surgical pathway is chosen only when the findings support it.
Stage 6
Follow-up
Repeat testing depends on diagnosis, method and progression risk; comparable serial studies matter in keratoconus.
Service benefits
Treatment based on the cause
Treatment is selected according to the cause, stage and depth of the corneal condition.
Limiting progression
In progressive ectasia, cross-linking aims to strengthen the cornea and slow further changes.
Selection of optical correction
Glasses or specialist contact lenses are selected according to corneal shape and achievable visual acuity.
Consideration of affected layers
Assessing the depth of changes helps select an appropriate method, including lamellar or full-thickness transplantation when indicated.
Methods comparison
Criterion
Cross-linking
Scleral lenses
PTK
Keratoplasty
Primary goal
Stabilise progressive ectasia
Optical rehabilitation
Treat superficial corneal pathology
Replace diseased corneal tissue
Stops keratoconus progression
Primary goal when progression is documented
No
No
May address severe structural disease, but it is a different treatment stage
Improves visual quality
Possible, but not the primary goal
Yes, through the optical surface of the lens
Depends on the indication and lesion location
Depends on baseline pathology and surgical outcome
Effect on corneal tissue
In an epi-off protocol the epithelium is removed and the stroma is photochemically strengthened
No tissue is removed
Superficial tissue is removed in the treatment zone
Affected tissue is partially or fully replaced
Donor tissue required
No
No
No
Yes, for transplant procedures
Active infection/ulcer
Not a routine pathway, the cause must be assessed
Does not treat infection
Not a universal treatment for active infection
Strategy depends on cause and severity; urgent surgical assessment may sometimes be needed
Current publicly confirmed KazRIED status
Listed in the current price list
Fitting and specific lens models are listed
PTK is listed in the current price list
KazRIED publicly states that corneal transplantation at its base is temporarily suspended
Cross-linking
Primary goal
Stops keratoconus progression
Improves visual quality
Effect on corneal tissue
Donor tissue required
Active infection/ulcer
Current publicly confirmed KazRIED status
Stabilise progressive ectasia
Primary goal when progression is documented
Possible, but not the primary goal
In an epi-off protocol the epithelium is removed and the stroma is photochemically strengthened
No
Not a routine pathway, the cause must be assessed
Listed in the current price list
Optical rehabilitation
No
Yes, through the optical surface of the lens
No tissue is removed
No
Does not treat infection
Fitting and specific lens models are listed
Treat superficial corneal pathology
No
Depends on the indication and lesion location
Superficial tissue is removed in the treatment zone
No
Not a universal treatment for active infection
PTK is listed in the current price list
Replace diseased corneal tissue
May address severe structural disease, but it is a different treatment stage
Depends on baseline pathology and surgical outcome
Affected tissue is partially or fully replaced
Yes, for transplant procedures
Strategy depends on cause and severity; urgent surgical assessment may sometimes be needed
KazRIED publicly states that corneal transplantation at its base is temporarily suspended
Service options
Corneal cross-linking
Cross-linking strengthens the cornea using riboflavin and controlled UV-A exposure.
Learn more
Book an appointment
Book a consultation and cornea-focused diagnostic assessment at KazRIED. After examination, the ophthalmologist can determine whether the priority is keratoconus stabilisation, a therapeutic procedure, optical rehabilitation or another treatment pathway.
Procedure prices
Service name
Price
Consultation with an ophthalmologist holding a Candidate of Medical Sciences degree (per consultation)
from 19 500 ₸
Corneal diagnostic study, Pentacam (per eye)
from 4 400 ₸
Anterior-segment spectral tomography, Spectralis, including pachymetry
Cost determined after consultation
Cirrus-HD anterior-segment OCT, including pachymetry, cornea and anterior-chamber angle (per eye)
from 2 900 ₸
DRI OCT Triton, pachymetry
Cost determined after consultation
Endothelial microscopy (per eye)
from 3 300 ₸
Microbiological examination of ocular discharge (per eye; per test)
from 8 000 ₸
Isotonic corneal cross-linking (per eye)
from 197 000 ₸
Excimer-laser PTK, phototherapeutic keratectomy (per eye)
from 105 000 ₸
Individual scleral lens fitting, annual package (per eye; per service)
from 91 500 ₸
OKV-RGP Onefit scleral lens (per lens)
from 219 000 ₸
OKV-RGP SmartFi scleral lens (per lens)
from 198 000 ₸
MoonLens scleral lens (per lens)
from 196 000 ₸
Our doctors
A team of experienced doctors across specialties.
Experience: 34 years
Head
Dzhumataeva Zaure Asylkhanovna
Doctor of Medical Sciences, Associate Professor; Highest-category ophthalmologist
Experience: 28 years
Ophthalmologist
Kim Olga Robertovna
Candidate of Medical Sciences; Highest-category ophthalmologist
Experience: 27 years
Head
Tleubaeva Gulmira Bakhytovna
Candidate of Medical Sciences; Highest-category ophthalmologist
Experience: 3 years
Ophthalmologist
Omarova Kymbat Omarovna
Master’s Student in Public Health
Experience: 24 years
Ophthalmologist (pediatric consultations)
Abakaeva Zhanna Bakirzhanovna
Highest-category ophthalmologist
Experience: 13 years
Ophthalmologist
Kalshabekov Alibi Sembaevich
Highest-category ophthalmologist
Experience: 50 years
Ophthalmologist, Ultrasound Diagnostics
Maldybekova Raya Bagdauletovna
Highest-category ophthalmologist
Experience: 37 years
Head
Omargalieva Gulnara Kabdulmukhitovna
Highest-category ophthalmologist
Experience: 19 years
Pediatric and Adult Ophthalmologist
Razdykova Dina Atabekovna
Highest-category ophthalmologist
Experience: 15 years
Ophthalmologist, Ultrasound and OCT Diagnostics
Saptaeva Madina Sanatovna
Highest-category ophthalmologist
Corneal disease treatment: methods, goals, and costs
The cornea is the transparent front part of the eye and one of its main refractive structures. Corneal diseases may alter its shape, reduce transparency, cause inflammation, and damage different layers: the epithelium, stroma, or endothelium.
Treatment therefore depends on the diagnosis, depth of involvement, corneal thickness and shape, scarring, inflammation, and changes over time.
Keratoconus: stabilization and visual rehabilitation
In keratoconus, the cornea becomes thinner, more protruding, and asymmetric. This causes irregular astigmatism, distorted images, glare, and reduced visual quality.
Stopping progression and improving image quality are different goals.
- When progression is confirmed, corneal cross-linking is used when indicated to stabilize the cornea.
- For visual rehabilitation, glasses or specialty contact lenses, including scleral lenses, may be needed.
- If progression has not been demonstrated, the clinician may recommend monitoring with repeat examinations rather than immediate intervention.
Optical correction does not replace treatment to control progression. Glasses or contact lenses may still be needed after cross-linking.
If glasses no longer provide adequate image quality because of irregular astigmatism, a specialist assesses suitability for specialty lenses.
Superficial disease and phototherapeutic keratectomy
For certain superficial conditions and some corneal opacities, the clinician may consider phototherapeutic keratectomy (PTK).
This is a therapeutic excimer laser treatment of the cornea. PTK differs from refractive PRK and TransPRK and does not primarily aim to correct myopia or astigmatism.
PTK does not replace cross-linking: these methods serve different treatment goals.
Inflammation, keratitis, and corneal ulcers
For keratitis, ulcers, and other inflammatory conditions, the cause is established first. Treatment targets the infectious, inflammatory, or other underlying mechanism.
If infection is suspected, the clinician may request microbiological testing of ocular discharge before or during treatment. This is performed when indicated and is not mandatory for every patient.
Scarring, dystrophies, and marked deformation
Deep scars, severe dystrophies, or significant structural damage require surgical assessment. The clinician evaluates the feasibility of reconstructive surgery, including keratoplasty, and the available treatment pathway.
When the source material was prepared, KazRIED’s official website reported that corneal transplantation at the institute was temporarily suspended because of legislative changes. Current availability must be confirmed.
Additional assessment and monitoring
Suspected ectasia after refractive surgery requires corneal tomography and a separate management plan. Routine repeat laser correction should not be considered an automatic solution.
Corneal endothelial microscopy is also listed among the examinations; the specific device model is not stated.
The frequency of follow-up depends on the diagnosis, chosen treatment, and risk of progression. In keratoconus, comparing consistent examinations over time is particularly important.
How is the cost determined?
Individual price-list items should not automatically be added together as a “treatment package.” The total depends on the consultation, diagnostic testing, treatment procedure, and optical correction when needed.
- Custom scleral lens fitting — annual package: the fitting fee is not the price of the lens itself. The package contents must be clarified.
- OKV-RGP Onefit scleral lens: the lens and fitting are separate price-list items. The final payment breakdown must be clarified.
The listed fees do not automatically represent the full cost of a treatment course.
How is the immediate treatment goal determined?
At KazRIED, the pathway is selected after a specialist assessment. The first step is to establish the diagnosis, affected layer and depth, disease progression, and main treatment goal.
This helps build a sequential plan: corneal stabilization, treatment of a specific condition, visual rehabilitation, or surgical reconstruction.
Facts and offers
Kazakhstan’s first specialized ophthalmology institute, operating since 1933.
Modern diagnostics and surgery using world-class equipment.
Leading ophthalmologists in Kazakhstan, scientists and experienced surgeons.
More than 30,000 operations and around 270,000 consultations annually.
Kazakhstan’s first specialized ophthalmology institute, operating since 1933.
Modern diagnostics and surgery using world-class equipment.
Leading ophthalmologists in Kazakhstan, scientists and experienced surgeons.
More than 30,000 operations and around 270,000 consultations annually.
Kazakhstan’s first specialized ophthalmology institute, operating since 1933.
Modern diagnostics and surgery using world-class equipment.
Leading ophthalmologists in Kazakhstan, scientists and experienced surgeons.
More than 30,000 operations and around 270,000 consultations annually.
Frequently asked questions
What is keratoconus?
Keratoconus is a disorder in which the cornea progressively thins and becomes distorted. This causes irregular astigmatism, image distortion and reduced visual quality that can become increasingly difficult to correct with ordinary spectacles.
Which corneal diseases may require specialized assessment and treatment?
These include keratoconus and other ectasias, corneal erosions, keratitis, dystrophies, scarring, opacities, consequences of trauma or surgery and other disorders. Diagnosis and treatment vary according to the affected corneal layer and underlying cause.
What symptoms can suggest keratoconus?
Warning signs include frequent spectacle-prescription changes, increasing astigmatism, reduced vision despite correction, monocular double or multiple images, halos, glare and distorted contours. Early symptoms can be nonspecific.
How is keratoconus diagnosed?
Diagnosis combines clinical examination with corneal imaging and measurements. Corneal topography or tomography, anterior and posterior surface assessment, pachymetry, refraction and comparison of serial examinations are particularly important.
Why is corneal tomography needed, and is Pentacam specifically required?
Tomography evaluates anterior and posterior corneal shape, thickness distribution and signs of ectasia. Pentacam is one platform used for this purpose, but it is not the only option. Scan quality and expert interpretation are more important than a particular brand of equipment.
How is keratoconus progression determined?
Progression is assessed by change across serial examinations. Corneal curvature and shape, thickness, tomographic parameters, refraction and visual function are considered together. No single universal measurement defines progression in every patient.
Can eye drops stop keratoconus?
Conventional eye drops do not strengthen the cornea and are not a treatment for stopping progressive keratoconus. Medication may be used for associated allergy, inflammation, dry eye or other conditions. Corneal stabilization is considered separately when progression is confirmed.
What is corneal cross-linking?
Corneal cross-linking uses riboflavin and controlled UVA exposure to strengthen bonds within corneal tissue. In progressive keratoconus, its primary goal is to increase biomechanical stability and reduce the risk of further progression.
Will cross-linking definitely improve vision?
No. Its main purpose is to stabilize a progressing cornea. Corneal shape, refraction or vision may improve in some patients, but improvement is not guaranteed and is not the primary objective.
Is corneal cross-linking painful?
Anaesthesia is used during treatment. With some protocols, particularly epithelium-off treatment, pain, foreign-body sensation, tearing and photophobia can occur during the first days while the epithelium heals. Symptoms vary by technique and individual response.