Keratoconus is an eye illness that causes the cornea, the transparent dome-shaped front surface of the eye, to swell and become distorted. This degenerative illness generally damages both eyes and affects 50-200 people out of every 100,000.
Keratoconus patients frequently have hazy vision, distorted vision, night blindness, and light sensitivity. Clear vision correction for keratoconus might be difficult since the uneven corneal shape makes ordinary eyeglasses or contact lenses difficult or impossible to use. Talk to a Keratoconus Philadelphia specialist to learn more.
Everyone is at different risk of acquiring keratoconus.
The following are some risk factors for developing keratoconus:
- Down syndrome
- Allergic dermatitis
- Connective tissue abnormalities and other medical problems
- Eye rubbing
- Hereditary predisposition
- Eye inflammation
Keratoconus can appear at any age.
Although keratoconus is most commonly diagnosed in teens or early adulthood, it can arise at any age. That is why, even though your eyesight appears clear and your eyes appear healthy, you should get frequent eye exams.
Early detection is critical.
This is true for nearly every eye condition, particularly keratoconus. Detecting it early might allow the eye doctor to use various therapies to halt its advancement during the early stages when this ailment worsens more quickly.
Keratoconus develops at varying rates throughout one’s life.
Keratoconus advancement differs from person to person, and a single person might have various degrees of progression in each eye. Some people have moderate keratoconus their whole lives, while others acquire severe keratoconus at a young age.
Optometrists frequently advise patients to undergo various operations to fortify the cornea and prevent or limit future deterioration.
Keratoconus can be treated surgically or with scleral contact lenses.
Corneal cross-linking surgery is the only FDA-approved way of preventing or delaying keratoconus development and is an effective alternative for increasing corneal strength. A corneal transplant may be the only way to restore clear eyesight if the condition worsens to severe keratoconus.
Scleral contact lenses are an alternative to surgery. They are appropriate for individuals with early or moderate keratoconus because they restore eyesight safely and efficiently without irritating the deformed cornea. Research has indicated that keratoconus patients wearing scleral contact lenses are less likely to require keratoplasty (corneal transplant surgery).
Because of their enormous diameter, scleral contact lenses may vault over delicate corneal tissue while coating the cornea in a nourishing fluid reservoir for maximum comfort and visual clarity. Since eye rubbing and corneal irritation are key risk factors for keratoconus progression, the protective features of scleral lenses can aid in slowing the evolution of keratoconus.
The bottom line is that if you visit a skilled specialist early on, you can lead a normal life with keratoconus.