What is keratoconus?
Keratoconus (pronounced keh-rah- toe-cone-us) is an eye condition which causes the thinning and weakening of the cornea, resulting in it changing shape. A cone-shaped bulge develops in the cornea, which is typically round and dome-shaped.
The latest research shows keratoconus is much more common than previously thought although many cases are mild. It normally develops in teenagers or those in their twenties and often gradually gets worse over time. The speed of change and severity of the stages of keratoconus varies between those affected.
What are the symptoms of keratoconus?
Keratoconus symptoms include;
- Worsening of vision causing frequent changes to prescription
- Blurring or clouding of vision
- Sensitivity and glare from bright lights
Keratoconus signs can change as the condition worsens over time. The change in shape and thinning of the cornea impairs the ability of the eye to focus properly. In advanced cases, some patients may develop scarring in the cornea. All of these corneal changes can cause poor vision.
How keratoconus affects vision
Early stages of keratoconus are detectable by your local optometrist. Vision is often unaffected in the very early stages.
When you have keratoconus, your vision becomes blurred. This is because the front of your eye is not completely smooth and round. This affects the focus of your eye causing short sight (myopia) and astigmatism, in which the light that passes through your eye forms an unclear image at the back of the eye.
In advanced stages of keratoconus, some patients may develop scarring in the cornea, which can make their sight blurred by reducing the amount of light which can enter the eye. A small number of patients may experience a sudden, painful loss of vision if fluid from the eye enters a very thin cornea. This is called hydrops and will settle with time.
It is important to remember that keratoconus does not cause blindness. If left unchecked, further changes in shape, thinning of the cornea and, in advanced stages, scarring cause loss of transparency of the cornea which impairs the ability of the eye to focus properly. Even in advanced keratoconus however it is usually possible to correct vision with contact lenses.
What causes keratoconus?
The exact cause of keratoconus remains unknown, although it’s believed that both genetic and environmental factors can have an impact. It is estimated that around 1 in 10 people with the eye condition keratoconus will have a 1st degree family member who is also affected. However, keratoconus is not typically considered to be an inherited disease.
There are also a number of factors that may increase your chances of developing the keratoconus eye disease. It occurs more commonly in individuals with certain allergic conditions, including asthma and eczema, and is more likely to develop in non-caucasian ethnicity groups.
Keratoconus treatment is available at Moorfields Private
You can self-fund or use private medical insurance to fund your treatment.