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What is 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. This abnormal shape prevents the light entering the eye from being focused correctly on the retina and causes distortion of vision. 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.
Recovery Time
Many people with keratoconus suffer only from mild forms of the disease and can easily be treated with glasses and/or soft contact lenses. Some patients, however, will require the permanent use of hard contact lens during their lives in order to see clearly. In severe cases, cornea transplantation may be needed.Diagnosis
Keratoconus is diagnosed during a routine eye exam. A slit lamp can be used to diagnose severe cases of keratoconus, but sometimes corneal topography is needed to diagnose the more subtle cases of keratoconus. Additional tests may be appropriate to determine the shape of your cornea. These include:- Keratometry
- Computerized corneal mapping
- Retinoscopy
- Distant direct ophthalmoscopy
FAQs prepared by doctor
1. What is keratoconus?
Keratoconus is a progressive eye disease in which the cornea thins and begins to bulge into a cone-like shape, causing blurring and distorted vision. Keratoconus literally means cone-shaped cornea.
2. What are the symptoms of keratoconus?
There is blurred or distorted vision with progressive short-sightedness, increased sensitivity to bright light and glare, problems with night vision, sudden worsening or clouding of vision, caused by a condition in which the back of your cornea ruptures and fills with fluid (hydrops).
3. Who gets keratoconus?
Keratoconus often begins during puberty, a person’s teens or early twenties.
4. How does keratoconus happen?
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.
5. When shall one consult a doctor?
One shall consult a doctor if there is a sudden change of vision or double vision or distorted vision or sensitivity to glare or problems with eyesight. If objects both near and far look distorted and bright lights looking like they have halos around them then one shall require immediate consultation.