Katzen Eye Group Adds Keratoconus Services To Eye Care Practice
Feb 5, 2002
Keratoconus specialist Tracey Hamburg spent 20 years at Hopkins Wilmer Eye Institute before joining Katzen
The Katzen Eye Group is pleased to announce the addition of Tracey R. Hamburg, B.S., M.S., C.O.T., to their staff of eye care professionals. A contact lens specialist at the Wilmer Eye Institute at Johns Hopkins Hospital for 20 years, Tracey was hired for her expertise in treating patients who suffer from keratoconus, a non-inflammatory eye condition in which the normally round dome-shaped cornea progressively thins causing a cone-like bulge to develop. Keratoconus, often abbreviated as "KC", results in significant visual impairment.
The cornea is the clear window of the eye and is responsible for refracting most of the light coming into the eye. Therefore, abnormalities of the cornea severely affect the way we see the world making simple tasks, like driving, watching TV or reading a book difficult.
"Keratoconus is a progressive disease of the cornea that is very difficult to treat. Therefore, patients become more frustrated, contact lens related problems arise and patients can lose sight. The care of a keratoconus patient takes one-on-one time with an eye care professional devoted to their craft," said Dr. Brett Katzen. "There is no cookie cutter approach to treating patients with keratoconus and only a few persons have the experience to treat these special patients. Tracey is one of those people and we are very fortunate to have her."
Tracey R. Hamburg completed her Bachelor of Science degree and her Master of Science degree at Johns Hopkins University. She is a licensed Certified Ophthalmic Technician. At Wilmer, she specialized in caring for patients with keratoconus, astigmatism and other corneal diseases. She participated in the training of Johns Hopkins medical students, residents, nurses and ophthalmic fellows. While at Johns Hopkins, Tracey co-authored twelve publications in scientific journals and presented her work at over twenty-five ophthalmology conferences.
"One out of every 2,000 people has KC and in a practice the size of Katzen's, that can add up to a good number of patients," said Hamburg. "I tend to develop a close relationship with my patients because I see them a great deal over a long period of time. The staff and facility at the Katzen Eye Group is the ideal setting for me to provide the treatment my KC patients will need and the attention they deserve."
In its earliest stages, keratoconus causes slight blurring and distortion of vision and increased sensitivity to glare and light. These symptoms usually first appear in the late teens and early twenties. Keratoconus may progress for 10-20 years and then slow in its progression. Each eye may be affected differently. While heredity can play a factor, the disease usually shows up in young people at puberty or in their later teen years. It is found in all parts of the United States, and the rest of the world, with no known significant geographic, cultural or social pattern.
Eyeglasses or soft contact lenses may be used to correct the mild nearsightedness and astigmatism that is caused in the early stages of keratoconus. As the disorder progresses and the cornea continues to thin and change shape, rigid gas permeable contact lenses can be prescribed to correct vision more adequately. The contact lenses must be carefully fitted, and frequent checkups and lens changes may be needed to achieve and maintain good vision.
In severe cases, a corneal transplant may be needed due to scarring, extreme thinning or contact lens intolerance. This is a surgical procedure that replaces the keratoconus cornea with healthy donor tissue.
