What is keratoconus?
Keratoconus is a degenerative eye disease characterized by a thinning and deformation of the corneal tissue. The cornea does not support the internal pressure of the eye and protrudes outwards in the shape of a cone, hence its name: kerato means cornea.
It is one of the degenerative conditions of the cornea, and appears progressively in one or both eyes.
Prognosis of the disease
Keratoconus is a degenerative pathology, but it can be corrected with glasses, contact lenses and different surgical techniques. On the other hand, the patient with keratoconus has to have corneal topographies periodically to detect the changes that occur in the cornea.
The cornea does not support the internal pressure of the eye and protrudes outwards.
Symptoms of keratoconus
Keratoconus presents in young people in the form of myopia and astigmatism, as well as blurred vision. It may also occur with ocular irritation and increased sensitivity to light. The pathology is confirmed by the specialist when he detects thinning of the cornea in the central or paracentral zone.
Medical tests for keratoconus
To detect mild cases of the pathology a corneal topography is performed, which consists of capturing an image of the cornea and generating a topographic map of the surface of the eye; in case the keratoconus is more advanced it will be necessary to use a slit lamp; keratometry can also be used, in which a circle of light is focused on the cornea and the reflection is used to determine its curvature.
What are the causes of keratoconus?
The causes of keratoconus are unknown, but a percentage of cases are related to genetic factors. In addition, this pathology is also related to collagen-related diseases, skin conditions, systemic diseases (such as Down syndrome), and eye injuries caused by excessive rubbing or prolonged use of hard contact lenses.
Can it be prevented?
To prevent keratoconus, it is recommended to undergo regular annual check-ups. In addition, there are actions that should be avoided, such as continually rubbing your eyes. Early detection of keratoconus is essential to treat its symptoms and avoid further corneal degeneration.
To prevent keratoconus, it is recommended to undergo regular annual check-ups.
Treatments for keratoconus
There is no total cure for keratoconus, but there are different treatments to slow down its evolution, depending on the patient’s degree of pathology:
- Glasses or contact lenses
- Semirigid lenses
- Crosslinking (CXL): consists of applying vitamin A and ultraviolet light to the cornea to reinforce the bonds and structure of the collagen fibers inside the cornea. The procedure is performed in one hour on an outpatient basis.
- Intracorneal ring or ring segment implants; these are implants designed to make the central cornea more homogeneous.
- Corneal transplant, which is only necessary in 10-20% of cases, and consists of replacing the patient’s cornea with that of a donor.
Which specialist treats it?
The doctor who treats the ocular pathology of keratoconus is the ophthalmologist.