Keratoconus

What is Keratoconus?

Keratoconus is an eye disorder in which the round cornea narrows and begins to swell into a corn-like figure. This distorts light as it enters the eye. Since the cornea is accountable for refracting most of the light entering the eye, a narrowed cornea leads to blurred vision, double vision, nearsightedness, and astigmatism. It is an eye disease that leads to progressive narrowing of the cornea. Usually, both eyes are affected.


In more severe cases, a marking or a circle may be seen inside the cornea. While the source is unrevealed, it is believed to be due to an amalgamation of genetic, environmental, and hormonal factors.

Symptoms

In its initial stages, the disease causes moderately blurred vision and sensitivity to bright light. As it advances, vision may become twisted. An eye specialist can diagnose keratoconus by using a slit lamp method or by inspecting the surface of the cornea by corneal topography.
Symptoms of keratoconus include:

  • Eye strain.
  • Distorted vision.
  • Light sensitivity.
  • Poor night vision.
  • Double vision in one eye.
  • Noticeably, worse vision in one eye.

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Causes

There is no fixed cause for this disease. However, medical professionals have proposed several causes that include pre-existing medical conditions, heredity factors, allergies, and excessive rubbing of the eye. It is a slow-progressing disorder that surfaces in late teens to early twenties, and may stay on for years.

  • Family history of the disease.
  • Disorders and conditions like diabetes, Down Syndrome, and those with allergies or asthma.

 

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Risks

Some common risks of keratoconus are:

  • Blurry vision.
  • Double vision.
  • Nearsightedness.
  • Astigmatism.
  • Light sensitivity.

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Prevention

Although, keratoconus cannot be prevented, some of the following measures can be tried:

  • Avoid vigorous rubbing.
  • Avoid using hard lens.

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How is it diagnosed?

At Medanta the following methods might be adopted to diagnose the disease:

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How is it treated?

In its initial stages, keratoconus is a mild astigmatism. As such, it can be treated in similar ways:

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  • Lenses

    Contact lenses or spectacles are a successful treatment for most cases of keratoconus. Gas permeable (GP) lenses are for patients with advanced keratoconus.

When do I contact the doctor?

If you are experiencing difficulty in sensing the light and motion, do visit your doctor at the earliest.

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How does Medanta provide care?

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Consult with experienced doctors

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