Keratoconus is a non-inflammatory eye condition in which the dome-shaped window at the front of the eye (cornea) progressively thins and develops into a thin cone like bulge. The irregular shape of the cornea brings light rays out of focus causing blurry or distorted vision. The exact cause of Keratoconus is yet unknown however it is believed that genetics and environmental factors play a key role in its development.
Keratoconus often begins by late teenage to early 20’s and the disease is expected to gradually progress over the course of 10 to 20 years.
During the early stages of Keratoconus vision is often unaffected however if left undetected further changing of the shape of the cornea, thinning and in advanced stages scarring of the cornea can lead to loss of transparency in vision which as a result impairs the ability of the eye to focus.
Keratoconus usually affects both eyes and symptoms can differ in each eye.
Blurring, distorted vision, progressive astigmatism, dryness, redness of the eye and light sensitivity are some of the common symptoms faced by keratoconic patients. Keratoconus is a slow progressing disease, but for some people may get worse sooner. Treatment depends on the severity of the symptoms and progression of the disease. Mild symptoms can be corrected using glasses. Some patients require rigid gas permeable contact lenses, also known as hard lenses to correct their vision. Later stages may require procedures such as collagen cross-linking where an ophthalmologist uses a special light and eye drops to strengthen the cornea, aiming to flatten and stiffen the cornea hence keeping it from bulging further. Severe stages require a corneal transplant where an ophthalmologist replaces all or part of the diseased cornea with healthy donor tissue. If you have been diagnosed with Keratoconus it is very important to remember not to rub the eye. Rubbing can result in further damage to the thin corneal tissue and worsen the symptoms.
If you feel like you or someone you know may be experiencing any symptom of Keratoconus, contact us at The Eye Center on 0302 829 1799, to have your eye examined by one of our highly experienced ophthalmologists and get appropriate treatment. Our highly skilled staff will also be able to take corneal measurements with the most advanced equipment in clinic and guide you as to the best therapeutic options suitable for you.