General Information About Keratoconus
Disease Details and Frequently Asked Questions
It is the weakening of the structure of the outermost round and smooth dome-shaped cornea layer of the eye, causing it to swell forward and thin into a funnel (cone) shape.
Genetic predisposition (family history) is the most important factor. In addition to this, constantly and vigorously rubbing the eyes for many years due to allergies breaks the collagen fibers in the cornea's structure, triggering or accelerating this disease.
Frequently changing glasses prescriptions, uncorrectable high myopia and irregular astigmatism, seeing scattering (halos) around lights, and perceiving shapes as distorted.
Keratoconus does not directly cause total blindness, but if left untreated, the cornea becomes so cloudy and changes shape so much (corneal scar) that the person becomes unable to read or drive even with glasses (legal blindness).
It may not be detected in a simple glasses exam. The definitive diagnosis is made when an ophthalmologist measures the thickness and 3D map of the cornea at the micron level using special devices called Corneal Topography.
The first step to stop the disease is a procedure called Corneal Cross-Linking (CCL), which stiffens the cornea using Vitamin B2 and UV light. Special hard contact lenses are used to improve vision quality. If the disease has advanced too much, the only cure is Corneal Transplant surgery.
Our health library contents are prepared for informational purposes only and with scientific data available at the time of recording. For all your questions, concerns, diagnosis, or treatment regarding your health, please consult your doctor or a healthcare institution.
