Signs and Treating Keratoconus

A normal cornea is dome-shaped and looks like a ball. The cornea is the front surface that shields the interior of the eyeball. But, sometimes, its structure thins out and is no longer able to hold the round shape. The result is an outward bulge giving the cornea a cone shape. This condition is called Keratoconus. It affects both eyes, but usually, one is more affected than the other.

Signs of Keratoconus

When your eye takes on the new cone shape, your vision starts to blur and distort. They may also become sensitive to glare and light. The sensitivity makes driving at night difficult and dangerous. If you wear prescription glasses, you may have to change your eyeglasses frequently.

Any vision problems you may have had before starts to worsen, and your vision clouds.

Causes

No individual factor causes Keratoconus. People theorize that it results from a combination of environmental and genetic influences. A family history of the same may increase your susceptibility to Keratoconus.

Down syndrome, asthma, hay fever, retinitis pigmentosa, and osteogenesis imperfecta also increase risk. Inflammations from asthma, allergies, and atopic eye disease also increase your susceptibility. Avoid rubbing your eyes vigorously as this, too, may cause Keratoconus.

Treatment

Treatment for this condition depends on its severity. The speed of progression also matters. As such, treatment options are designed to address severity and progression.

1. Corneal Collagen Cross-Linking

If Keratoconus is progressing quickly, this is the treatment to take up. Corneal collagen cross-linking slows down Keratoconus, keeping you from needing a cornea transplant. But, it only slows the disease without curing or reversing it.

This treatment also largely depends on the severity of the condition. If it is mild to moderate, contact lenses or glasses may sufficiently improve vision. If the disease is so advanced or wearing the contact lenses is uncomfortable, the optometrist recommends a cornea transplant surgery.

2. Cornea Transplant Surgery

Surgery is suitable for patients whose cornea is extremely thin or has some scarring. If your vision is still poor despite wearing strong prescription lenses, the eye doctor recommends surgery. Also, for whatever reason a patient cannot wear contact lenses, the doctor may recommend surgery.

The type of surgery depends on the point the cornea is bulging and the severity of the condition. The first type is the penetrating keratoplasty. It is suitable for patients with extreme cornea thinning and scarring. The surgeon removes the full thickness of the central cornea and replaces it with donor tissue.

The second type of surgery is the deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK). This corneal transplant surgery aims to preserve the patient’s endothelium or inner lining of the cornea. The surgeon then places the transplant. Keeping some part of the patient’s cornea reduces the chances of cornea rejection.

Keratoplasty and DALK are typically successful surgeries, but complications may occur. Common complications include low vision, graft rejection, astigmatism, and infection. For these, the doctor may recommend treatment, but if they do not improve, he may have to repeat the surgery.

Diagnosing and treating Keratoconus is straightforward and improves your vision considerably. Have your eyes examined and treated at Eye Care North at Cave Creek, Arizona. You may also call 480-781-4446 to request an appointment with an optometrist.