Keratoconus is a progressive eye disease in which the cornea thins, beginning to bulge into a cone-like shape. The change in the shape of the eye causes distorted vision.
Keratoconus may be caused by oxidative stress (damage to the cells of the eyes, caused by an imbalance in the body) and weakening of the cornea.
Other factors include a genetic predisposition (keratoconus often affects more than one member of the same family), and it may also be caused by eye rubbing associated with allergies (which causes eye itching and irritation).
- Vision becomes blurry or glaring
- Tearing
- Refractive power is unstable, requiring the frequent changing of glasses or contact lenses
- Sensitivity to light
A Corneal Imaging Device is used to carry out Corneal Topography, which captures an image of the cornea and provides details of the condition of the cornea.
The management of keratoconus depends on the severity and prognosis of the individual’s condition.
- In early stages, glasses or contact lens may help to improve vision
- In rapidly progressive cases, theCollagen Cross Linking procedure may help to stop or slow the progression of keratoconus
- In cases of irregular corneal shape, the Intra – Corneal Ring Insertion procedure may help to reverse the symptoms of keratoconus by flattening and thickening the cornea.
- In end stage keratoconus, Corneal Transplant surgery is considered as the last resort, after all other options have been exhausted
Collagen Cross Linking
A procedure to stop or slow down the progression of keratoconus by strengthening the cornea. A riboflavin solution is applied to the eye and activated using ultraviolet (UV) light, which causes new bonds to form across collagen strands in the cornea, strengthening it.
Intra Corneal Ring Insertion
A procedure to reverse the symptoms associated with Keratoconous by implanting a customised corneal ring to flatten and thicken the cornea.
Corneal Transplant
A surgery to replace thedamaged/diseased cornea with a new cornea.
If you have keratoconus, it is important that you:
- Do not rub your eyes
- Treat your allergies to control eye irritation or itching
- Regularly follow up with your ophthalmologist to monitor the progression of the condition