Keratoconus - Know More About It!

Keratoconus is the thinning and bulging of the cornea due to weakening of the bonds between the collagen layers in its structure. The normally round cornea becomes thin and cone-shaped, and bulges out, deflecting the light entering the eye leading to a distorted and blurry vision. While it has a genetic tendency in some instances, it can also be produced by vigorous and long term eye rubbing especially in people with chronic eye allergy.

The diagnosis is suspected on clinical examination by an ophthalmologist and confirmed on corneal topography.

Implications on Vision:

It is commonly associated with high astigmatism type of spectacle power and frequent change of glasses and unclear vision despite glasses. Poor vision is only associated with advanced keratoconus. A tear in the deeper layers of the cornea sometimes occurs due to excessive thinning and may be associated with sudden drops in vision with pain. Rarely scarring will occur leading significant compromise of vision. Keratoconus can progress very fast in young patients

Treatment of Keratoconus:

Treatment in initial stages is glasses. When glasses cannot provide comfortable vision, specialised types of keratoconic lenses (rigid lenses with a soft skirt or Rose K lenses) are useful in moderate disease without scarring to provide better quality vision With progressive thinning cross-linking therapy is done to strengthen the bonds between the collagen layers. This improves the quality of vision and stabilizes the disease. It also improves contact lens fitting Corneal segments or topography-guided laser are other options in select cases, In advanced cases with scarring transplant may become necessary and usually has a good outcome All persons with high astigmatism or frequently increasing astigmatism should get themselves screened for keratoconus