KERATOCONUS

What is keratoconus? 

Keratoconus is a common corneal dystrophy that leads to progressive loss of vision, usually in a younger population. A corneal dystrophy is a non-inflammatory inherited condition that affects both eyes and may be progressive. In keratoconus, the cornea begins to thin and change shape from spherical to conical. As the cornea continues to change, the vision will worsen due to increasing regular and/or irregular astigmatism. Many patients start out in glasses or traditional contact lenses and then progress to needing toric (or astigmatism correcting) contact lenses or rigid gas permeable contact lenses.

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What causes keratoconus? 

While a specific cause of keratoconus is unknown, the condition is believed to be associated with rubbing of the eyes, long-term contact lens use and other eye and medical conditions.

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What are the risk factors for keratoconus? 

People with a family medical history of keratoconus may be at higher risk for developing the condition. Other risk factors include inherited conditions, such as Down Syndrome, Leber’s congenital amaurosis, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and osteogenesis imperfecta.

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How can keratoconus be prevented? 

Some precautions that may decrease your likelihood of developing keratoconus include avoiding rubbing your eyes and wearing eyeglasses if you are a long-term contact lens wearer.

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How is keratoconus diagnosed? 

Keratoconus tends to affect a younger population. Progressive nearsightedness and astigmatism develop as the cornea becomes more misshapen, and the eyeglasses prescription may change with every visit to the eye doctor. Blurred and distorted vision may also occur. Many people are diagnosed in their late teens and early twenties when they notice their vision changing. The dystrophy tends to progress through about age 40 and then greatly slows down.

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How is keratoconus treated? 

Treatment for keratoconus starts with contact lens wear, and as long as contact lenses fit and give good vision no surgical intervention is necessary. If there are any signs of progression then a new treatment called corneal cross-linking may be used to halt the progression. In some cases, the cornea becomes so misshapen or scarred that a contact lens or cross-linking does not help the vision. Approximately 20% of patients with keratoconus seeing a corneal specialist will eventually need a partial thickness corneal transplant called a Deep Anterior Lamellar Ketoplasty (DALK) or a full thickness corneal transplant to restore good vision.

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