Keratoconus is a progressive eye condition where the cornea becomes thin and starts to bulge outward into a cone shape. This leads to blurred, distorted vision and high astigmatism.
- It usually begins in the late teens or early 20s
- It often affects both eyes
- Vision typically worsens over 10–20 years
- It may eventually stabilise
👁️ Symptoms
People with keratoconus may experience:
- Blurred or distorted vision (wavy or hazy images)
- Sensitivity to light and glare (especially at night)
- Frequent changes in glasses prescription
- Eye irritation and rubbing
- Sudden worsening of vision in advanced cases
- Temporary clouding of vision in severe episodes
⚠️ Causes and Risk Factors
The exact cause is not fully known, but it is thought to be a mix of genetic and environmental factors:
- Family history (around 1 in 10 cases)
- Excessive eye rubbing (can speed up progression)
- Chronic eye allergies or irritation
- Linked conditions:
- Down syndrome
- Marfan syndrome
- Ehlers-Danlos syndrome
📊 Stages and Progression
Keratoconus changes over time:
- Early stage
- Can often be corrected with glasses or soft contact lenses
- Progressing stage
- Cornea becomes steeper and thinner
- Glasses become less effective
- Advanced stage
- Requires rigid gas permeable (RGP) or scleral contact lenses
- Severe stage
- May need:
- Corneal collagen cross-linking (to slow or stop progression)
- Corneal transplant (in severe cases)
- May need:
💡 Complications
In some cases, keratoconus can lead to:
- Severe vision loss (not fully correctable with glasses)
- Corneal scarring
- Acute hydrops (sudden corneal rupture causing swelling and pain and temporary vision loss)
🚫 Important Note
- LASIK surgery is usually not recommended
- It can significantly worsen keratoconus
🏥 Treatments
Treatment depends on severity:
- Glasses (early stage)
- Soft contact lenses
- Rigid gas permeable (RGP) lenses
- Scleral lenses
- Corneal cross-linking (to strengthen cornea)
- Corneal transplant (advanced cases)
📌 Key Idea
Keratoconus is a long-term, progressive eye condition, but many people can manage it well with the right treatment and regular eye care.
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