Who We Are

The National Keratoconus Foundation (NKCF) is an outreach program of Gavin Herbert Eye Institute at UC-Irvine. We are dedicated to increasing awareness and understanding of keratoconus (KC), and aim to provide resources to individuals with KC. We unfortunately do not provide financial assistance. Please browse our website to find out more about KC.

March 30 is National Doctors' Day!

March is the time to Honor Your Doctor.  Share the story of how your optometrist or ophthalmologist makes a dfference in your life before March 30 and NKCF will send a special message of appreciation to your doctor.  Since NKCF began its Top Doc celebration in 2017, 400 eyecare professionals from 45 states have been recognized.  To see the list of all doctgors nominated by their patients visit here.  

Click HERE to nominate a Top Doc

Learn about Hybrid Contact Lenses!

Did you miss our latest webinar?

Watch the video of Hybrid Contact Lenses here

In this hour-long presentation for individuals affected by keratoconus, Dr. Louise Sclafani OD, FAAO, FSLS discusses contact lens options with a focus on hybrid contact lenses.  She reviews how your doctor will take data points from diagnostic tests to determine the kind of contact lenses that are most likely to be successful based on  your vision and lifestyle needs.  She goes over cleaning and lens care, and gives tips on putting in and removing lenses.

Dr. Louise Sclafani is a graduate of the Illinois College of Optometry and is a member of the teaching faculty there.  Since 2017, she has been the Vice President for Professional Affairs at SynergEyes, the company that makes hybrid contact lenses in the US.  In that role she teaches doctors and students how to fit contact lenses and advises company leadership on the vision needs of patients.  Dr. Sclafani maintains a private contact lens practice (SoLo Eyes) in the Loop in Chicago.   


COVID-19 and Corrective Lens Wear

Since the recent declaration of the pandemic of COVID-19 by the World Health Organization, many false rumors and inaccurate suggestions have arisen regarding corrective lens wear. Click to read statements by contact lens experts about corrective lens recommendations as they relate to COVID-19. Watch a recording of our webinar “What You Should Know: KC & COVID-19” hosted by NKCF with guest speakers Dr. Stephanie Woo, OD and Dr. Joseph Ciolino, MD.

Quick Resources

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NKCF is the world’s premier organization offering information about keratoconus.  Click here to learn more about resources available to you – either in print or on-line – including Living with Keratoconus, What is KC?, Corneal Transplant Surgery, and our regular e-newsletter.

You are not alone. The NKCF is here to provide support and information about KC, including a registry of eyecare professionals in the U.S. who have a special interest and expertise in the management of keratoconus. Click here to find a KC expert near you.

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Be a part of the KC community

Your story may inspire or reassure someone new to the KC community. Whether you were diagnosed last week or thirty years ago, you have insights about life with KC that are meaningful to others. Join our private message board, KC-Link to ask and answer questions.

News

What’s New?

Catch up on all the latest going on with KC research, breakthroughs, NKCF newsletters, and more.

Keratoconus: A Roadmap to Treatment [October 8, 2019 Webinar]

Please enjoy this recording of our webinar: “Keratoconus: A Roadmap to Treatment”

This webinar was led by our moderator, Dr. Jason Marsack, who discussed with Dr. Maria Walker and Dr. Matt Kauffman from the University of Houston, College of Optometry, where they shared their insight to what the newly diagnosed KC patient can expect.

This webinar was live on October 8, 2019. More webinars to follow.

Life With KC

Crosslinking Improves Quality of Life for Individuals with Progressive KC

Corneal crosslinking (CXL) results in stopping or slowing changes to the corneal curvature and stabilizing vision […]

The Difficulty with Diagnosing Keratoconus

Dr. Brooke Messer OD, a keratoconus expert at Vance Thompson Vision in West Fargo, North Dakota […]

March 2023 Update Newsletter

Click here to Read Update March 2023 newsletter.

About Us

The National Keratoconus Foundation (NKCF) is an outreach program of The Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, UC Irvine.

The NKCF is dedicated to increasing the awareness and understanding of keratoconus and the support of scientific research into the cause and treatment of keratoconus.

What is Keratoconus?

Crosslinking Improves Quality of Life for Individuals with Progressive KC

Corneal crosslinking (CXL) results in stopping or slowing changes to the corneal curvature and stabilizing vision […]

The Difficulty with Diagnosing Keratoconus

Dr. Brooke Messer OD, a keratoconus expert at Vance Thompson Vision in West Fargo, North Dakota […]

March 2023 Update Newsletter

Click here to Read Update March 2023 newsletter.

2023 Top Doc – Honor Your Doctor

Thank you to everyone who participated in honoring their eye care provider. The time for submissions […]

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