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Keratoconus
What is Keratoconus?
Keratoconus is a thinning of the cornea resulting in
significant visual impairments.
The cornea is a shaped like a circle, but in
Keratoconus the cornea begins to bulge and turn into
a cone shape form. The cornea is a clear structure of
the eye and is responsible for refracting most of the
light taken in by the eye.
Who Gets Keratoconus?
Keratoconus is a rare disease, but not an unheard of
disease. It is seen throughout the world and is
believed about 1 out of 2,000 people get this disease.
The onset of this disease is usually in late teen years
to early twenties. This disease shows traits of
progression for 10-20 years and then slows down and
stabilizes.
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Eye glasses
Contact lens
Intacs- These are tiny plastic inserts are
placed just under the eye's surface in the
periphery of the cornea and help re-shape
the cornea for clearer vision.
As the Keratoconus Progresses: The cornea will
continue to thin and become more of a cone shape. A
type of contact lens will be prescribed called, rigid
gas permeable (RGP) contact lenses are to help
correct vision.
Corneal crosslinking
This is a new type of treatment under research to slow
down the progression of Keratoconus. This method works
by increasing collagen crosslinking. These are natural
anchors in the cornea. These anchors are responsible for
preventing the cornea from bulging out and becoming steep
and irregular.
Cornea Transplant
In the most severe cases a cornea transplant can be
performed with a donor cornea. This usually happens
if extreme thinning occurs or the eye does not accept
contact lens.
Risk Factors:
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References
atopic history
ocular allergies
rigid contact lens
vigorous eye rubbing
Over exposure to ultraviolet rays from the
sun
Bailey, G., & Contributions, J. L. (2000). Keratoconus - Causes,
Symptoms, Treatment. Is There a Cure? Consumer Guide to Eyes,
Eye Care and Vision Correction - LASIK, Contact Lenses and
Eyeglasses. Retrieved June 26, 2010, from
http://www.allaboutvision.com/conditions/keratoconus.htm
Keratoconus. (2006). American Optometric Association - Serving
Doctors of Optometry & their Patients. Retrieved June 26, 2010,
from http://www.aoa.org/x4721.xml
Signs and Symptoms:
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Bulging eye
Blurred vision
Sensitivity to light
CxL Corneal Collagen Crosslinking with Riboflavin. (2010, April 12).
Corneal Crosslinking. Retrieved June 26, 2010, from
http://www.usaeyes.org/lasik/faq/cxl-crosslinking.htm
What is Keratoconus? (1997). National Keratoconus Foundation.
Retrieved June 26, 2010, from http://www.nkcf.org/en/aboutkeratoconus.html
Treatment:
Early stages of Keratoconus: These are efforts to
help with the beginning of nearsightedness and
astigmatism.
Keratoconus: eMedicine Ophthalmology. (2010, February 12).
EMedicine - Medical Reference. Retrieved June 26, 2010, from
http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1194693-overview