Keratoconus is a degenerative eye condition characterized by thinning of the cornea. Even more, it changes its symmetrical dome shape to such a limit that it becomes like a cone. Over time, this results in a person experiencing blurred and distorted eyesight. In worst cases, vision loss may occur, too. Worry not – we are here to guide you about the possible treatment options to correct keratoconus. So, keep reading until the end!
Eye care providers typically find keratoconus during your teenage years or your 20s and 30s, but it can also start in childhood. In some cases, a provider will diagnose a mild case of keratoconus at a later age. The changes in the shape of the cornea occur over many years but happen more rapidly in younger people.
The cornea is the transparent part of the frontal eye surface, having a convex shape. It is located centrally and is responsible for adequately focusing the incident light rays. Plus, it protects the eye, helping to maintain a clear focus. However, in keratoconus, the cornea bulges outward into an asymmetrical or crooked cone, hampering light refraction. The images thus formed appear hazy and out of focus to our eyes. Standard treatment methods include corrective glass prescription and surgical procedures. We will discuss each of them shortly after.
Keratoconus is a rare optical condition affecting 1 out of 2000 individuals globally, most of whom are young adolescents. It progresses in the middle thirties, deteriorating eyesight with time. The symptoms are, however, more aggressive in children. In this context, you must know that it is the most common cause of corneal dystrophy in America alone!
Depending on the shape and location of cornea thinning, keratoconus is classified into five major types. There are as follows:
The key sign of keratoconus is when the cornea thins to the extent that it loses its natural dome shape. In the early stages, it is nearly impossible to detect; however, as time progresses, you will likely experience vision problems. Here's a list of some early symptoms of keratoconus.
Apart from the above symptoms, you may also experience the following:
Sometimes, you may also develop corneal blisters. These can lead to tissue scarring and swelling. Apart from this, an uncommon complication may arise, known as acute corneal hydrops. It causes an abrupt swelling in response to a ruptured Descemet membrane underneath the cornea.
It is a complicated question, and researchers have yet to find a suitable answer to this. Arguably, it is thought to occur due to genetic factors. This is true to a certain extent, but environmental factors can also trigger it.
If you leave your condition unchecked, the following complications may arise.
Before your ophthalmologist takes your eye exam, he will ask you a few questions. These include questions regarding your medical past and family history of eye diseases. Your eye doctor can prepare a better treatment plan by collecting all this information. Below is a comprehensive list of all the standard diagnostic procedures that are involved.
The ophthalmologist will decide on the treatment programme depending on the intensity of your eye condition. Common treatments include corrective glasses and contact lenses, corneal crosslinking, implantable ring segments, and, at times, a corneal transplant. Here's a detailed explanation of each.
These are beneficial during the early stages of keratoconus. However, a deteriorated condition may not be solved with these corrective methods. This is because irregular astigmatism may set in by then.
It is a UV-ray-induced treatment to decelerate or prevent deterioration of keratoconus. During this procedure, your eye care provider will put a small amount of eyedrops containing riboflavin (or Vitamin B2), which must be kept for at least thirty minutes. After that, the eyes are subjected to ultraviolet rays for the same duration. Let's explain the mechanism behind this. Employing UV rays helps strengthen the bonds between the collagen fibers and surrounding proteins, maintaining normal corneal shape.
These are minute devices that your ophthalmologist inserts within the cornea. They help improve vision and ease the process of fitting contact lenses. Local anesthesia is given prior to the procedure, after which small channels are created. These facilitate the easy insertion of the implantable rings. Such rings help flatten the cornea and gradually correct the cone shape formed due to keratoconus.
It is helpful to rectify the more advanced stages of keratoconus. In this procedure, the eye doctor surgically replaces your diseased cornea with a healthy piece of corneal tissue (obtained from a human donor). Typically, people suffering from keratoconus give positive feedback after getting a corneal transplant. However, this process may take a year or more to stabilize vision. Some people may even need a specialized contact lens after completion of the transplantation procedure. This enhances visual acuity.
If you find trouble to see things clearly, we are more than happy to help. Arrange an appointment with our optometrist and get early treatment.
Contact Us NowWell, it is not. At the maximum, timely treatment can prevent and manage the deterioration of keratoconus. In simple terms, the faster you can obtain an early diagnosis, the easier it is to preserve your sight.
It is better to get optical exams at least two times a year to effectively monitor and prevent keratoconus progression. During these exams, your eye doctor will conduct corneal topography, which allows you to track any minute changes in the cornea's curvature. Such an early diagnosis helps in personalized treatment.
Although keratoconus is a degenerative disorder, it does not resolve quickly upon setting in. However, following the measures below can help manage it effectively.
Treat keratoconus as a priority if you experience sudden vision changes like glares, halos, image distortions, blurriness, etc. Moreover, you can facilitate early detection and timely treatment with routine eye exams.
Keratoconus is considered a chronic, non-inflammatory disorder of the corneal tissue. Typically, it starts during early adulthood; however, it may sometimes even set in at a much earlier or later life phase. You do not need to worry because we have a good solution for you. Guess what? At Vision Cure Clinic, we provide a wide range of treatment options, besides general eye checkups to treat keratoconus. So, delay not and embark on your journey to obtaining the best care for optimal vision clarity from now on!
Keratoconus does affect vision; however, this does not mean you cannot enjoy a normal life. A simple reminder: Attend regular optical follow-ups and have regular tests to monitor your condition, and you are good to go!
Genetic testing is a very useful tool in planning personalized treatment plans that can give optimal results. It also aids in timely procedures like corneal crosslinking, etc. Last but not least, when you know about your genetic disposition, the risk of developing keratoconus in your future generation decreases.
The risk of turning blind is very rare. General preventive measures can help manage such a condition; however, be careful if you are in more advanced stages. You may lose a considerable amount of your vision in this case.
If you experience a sudden vision loss or extreme pain in the eyes, you must treat your condition as an emergency. Also, in cases where you had an operative procedure in your eyes and now have visible signs of infection, such as optical discharges, you must seek immediate medical help.
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