Understanding Keratoconus Disease

Keratoconus is a progressive eye disease that affects the structure of the cornea, causing it to thin and bulge into a cone-like shape. This distortion can result in significant visual impairment and requires proper diagnosis and management.

What is Keratoconus?

Keratoconus is a condition where the normally round, dome-shaped cornea progressively thins and begins to bulge into a cone-like shape. This abnormal shape prevents the light entering the eye from being focused correctly on the retina, leading to distorted vision.

Causes of Keratoconus

The exact cause of keratoconus is unknown, but it is believed to be a combination of genetic, environmental, and cellular factors. Some known risk factors include:

  • Family history of keratoconus
  • Frequent eye rubbing
  • Chronic eye irritation
  • Conditions such as allergies or asthma

Symptoms of Keratoconus

Symptoms of keratoconus typically start during puberty and progress until the third or fourth decade of life. Common symptoms include:

  • Blurred or distorted vision
  • Increased sensitivity to light
  • Difficulty seeing at night
  • Frequent changes in eyeglass prescription

Treatment Options

While there is no cure for keratoconus, several treatment options can help manage the condition and improve vision:

Glasses and Contact Lenses

In the early stages, glasses or soft contact lenses may be sufficient to correct the vision problems caused by keratoconus. As the disease progresses, rigid gas permeable (RGP) lenses or scleral lenses may be required.

Corneal Cross-Linking

This minimally invasive procedure involves applying riboflavin drops to the cornea and then exposing it to ultraviolet (UV) light. The process strengthens the corneal tissue and can halt the progression of keratoconus.

Corneal Transplant

In advanced cases of keratoconus where other treatments are not effective, a corneal transplant may be necessary. This surgical procedure involves replacing the damaged cornea with a healthy donor cornea.