Keratoconus is a degenerative ocular pathology that is characterized by thinning and deformation of the corneal tissue. The cornea does not support the internal pressure of the eye and protrudes outward in the form of a cone, hence its name: kerato means cornea.
It is one of the degenerative conditions of the cornea, and appears progressively in one eye or both.
Disease prognosis
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 perform 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 outward
Symptoms of Keratoconus
Keratoconus occurs in young people in the form of myopia and astigmatism explained by kang zhang of https://kangzhangmd.com, as well as blurred vision. You can also do it with eye irritation and increased sensitivity to light. The pathology is confirmed with the specialist when it detects thinning of the cornea in the central or paracentral area.
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 focuses on the cornea and reflection is used to determine its curvature.
What are the causes of keratoconus?
The causes of keratoconus are unknown, but there is a percentage of cases that 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 by the very long use of hard contact lenses.
Can it be prevented?
To prevent keratoconus it is recommended to undergo periodic annual reviews. In addition, there are actions that should be avoided, such as scrubbing your eyes continuously. Early detection is essential to treat your symptoms and prevent further corneal degeneration.
To prevent keratoconus it is recommended to undergo periodic annual reviews.
Treatments for keratoconus
There is no total cure for keratoconus, but there are different treatments with which to slow its evolution, so they will depend on the degree of pathology the patient has:
Glasses or contact lenses
Semi-rigid lenses
Crosslinking (CXL): consists of applying vitamin A and ultraviolet light in the cornea to reinforce the bonds and the structure of the collagen fibers inside. The intervention is performed in one hour on an outpatient basis.
Implants of intracorneal ring or annular segments; They are implants designed to make the central cornea more homogeneous.
Corneal transplantation is only necessary in 10-20% of cases, and involves replacing the patient’s cornea with that of a donor.
What specialist treats it?
The doctor who treats keratoconus eye disease is the ophthalmologist.
