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Keratoconus

What is Keratoconus?

Keratoconus causes the cornea gradually to thin and bulge into cone shape. This shape prevents light from focusing precisely on the macula. As the disease degenerates vision becomes blurred and distorted. The cornea's irregular shape means that patients with keratoconus are often short sighted with astigmatism.

Keratoconus often appears in the teens or early twenties, and can occur in one or both eyes.

Causes of Keratoconus

Causes of keratoconus are unclear. Many theories exist that are based on association with other conditions, these include:

Eye injuries, eye rubbing or overuse of hard contact lenses.

Eye diseases, including retinitis pigmentosa and vernal keratoconjunctivitis.

Inherited corneal abnormalities. About 7% of people suffering from Keratoconus have a family history of the disease.

Diagnosis of Keratoconus

Keratoconus can often be diagnosed with a slit lamp examination of the cornea. Early cases may require corneal topography.

Advanced keratoconus may result in the cornea being thinner in areas and can be measured with pachymetry.

Treatments for Keratoconus

Glasses and contact lenses can improve vision in some patients with keratoconus. Severe cases may require the affected cornea to be removed and replaced through a cornea transplant operation.