Keratoconus
DEFINITION
Keratoconus (ker-uh-toe-KOH-nus) occurs when your cornea — the clear, dome-shaped front surface of your eye — thins and gradually bulges outward into a cone shape.
A cone-shaped cornea causes blurred vision and may cause sensitivity to light and glare. Keratoconus usually affects both eyes and generally occurs in people ages 10 to 25. The condition may progress slowly for 10 years or longer.
Vision problems can be corrected with glasses or soft contact lenses early on in the condition. As keratoconus progresses, you may have to be fitted with rigid gas permeable contact lenses or other types of contact lenses. Advanced keratoconus may require a cornea transplant.
CAUSES
The cause of keratoconus is unknown.
Keratoconus may be associated with:
- Vigorous rubbing of your eyes
- Other eye conditions, including retinitis pigmentosa, retinopathy of prematurity or vernal keratoconjunctivitis
- A combination of several disorders, such as enzyme abnormalities or hereditary factors including Down syndrome
- Wearing contact lenses for several years
SYMPTOMS
Signs and symptoms of keratoconus may change as the disease progresses. They include:
- Blurred or distorted vision
- Increased sensitivity to bright light and glare
- Problems with night vision
- Many changes in eyeglass prescriptions
- Sudden worsening or clouding of vision, caused by a condition in which the back of your cornea ruptures and fills with fluid (hydrops)
When to see a doctor
See your eye doctor (ophthalmologist or optometrist) if you have irregular curvature of the eye (astigmatism) and your eyesight is worsening rapidly. Your eye doctor also may look for signs of keratoconus during routine eye exams.
If you’re considering laser-assisted in-situ keratomileusis (LASIK) eye surgery, make sure your doctor checks for signs of keratoconus before you proceed.
