Keratoconus
Keratoconus is part of a family of disorders involving abnormalities in the shape
of the cornea, the clear front of the eye. Affecting millions, keratoconus is characterized
by an abnormally steep and irregularly shaped cornea, which makes vision blurry.
Changes from keratoconus are occasionally mild, but severe disease may cause thinning
and scarring along the visual axis.
The symptoms of keratoconus vary with the degree of thinning, astigmatism, and
scarring. Early on, patients typically have astigmatism correctable with glasses
or soft contacts. As the disease progresses, gas permeable contact lenses may be
needed to obtain the best vision. Light sensitivity, sudden pain, and corneal swelling
are all common in severe keratoconus. It is important to note that each eye can
be affected differently and may stabilize after some time.
If contact lenses cannot adequately compensate for the abnormal keratoconus shape,
surgery is usually recommended. Full thickness and partial thickness cornea transplants
have been time-tested remedies for keratoconus. By replacing the steep cornea with
a sutured donor cornea, a relatively normal curvature can be restored. Newer therapies
such as corneal inserts warrant further analysis.
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