When Should I Go To Ophthalmologist..!
How To Care About My Contact Lenses..!
Keratoconus
Keratoconus is an
uncommon condition in which the normally round, dome-like cornea (the
clear front window of the eye) becomes thin and develops a cone-like
bulge.
Keratoconus
literally means “cone-shaped cornea.”
The cornea is a very important part of your
eye. Light enters the eye through the cornea, which refracts, or
focuses, the light rays so that you can see clearly. With keratoconus,
the shape of the cornea is altered, distorting your vision. Keratoconus
can make some activities difficult, such as driving, typing on a
computer, watching television or reading.
WHAT
ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF KERATOCONUS?
Keratoconus usually affects both eyes, though symptoms in each eye may differ. Symptoms usually start to occur in people who are in their late teens and early twenties and may include:
·
mild blurring of
vision;
·
slight distortion of
vision;
·
increased
sensitivity to light;
·
glare;
·
mild eye irritation.
The rate of progression varies. Keratoconus
will often progress slowly for 10 to 20 years and then suddenly stop.
As the condition progresses, most common
symptoms include:
·
increased blurring
and distortion of your vision;
·
increased
nearsightedness or astigmatism;
·
Frequent eyeglass
prescription changes.
Occasionally, keratoconus can advance
rapidly, causing the cornea to become scarred. Scar tissue on the cornea
causes the cornea to lose its smoothness and clarity. As a result, even
more distortion and blurring of vision can occur.
WHAT CAUSES KERATOCONUS?
The cause of keratoconus is still not
known. Some researchers believe that genetics play a role, since an
estimated 10% of people with keratoconus also have a family member with
the condition.
HOW IS KERATOCONUS TREATED?
$
When good vision is no longer possible with contact lenses, a corneal transplant may be recommended. This surgery is only necessary in about 10–20% of patients with keratoconus. In a corneal transplant, your ophthalmologist removes the diseased cornea from your eye and replaces it with a healthy donor cornea.$
While a corneal transplant will relieve the symptoms of keratoconus, it may not provide you with flawless vision; eyeglasses or contacts may still be needed to achieve your best vision.