Keratoconus: Causes and Treatments
There are many different conditions that can affect the eyes, and some are more common than others. Many affect the cornea, which is the clear, domed lens at the front of the eye. The cornea has several purposes. Not only does it protect the pupil and iris, but it also refracts light as it enters the eye, changing the angle so that it passes through the eye and focuses on the retina. The retina receives the light and turns it into messages that are sent to the brain and tell us what we can see. For most people, the cornea is a fairly evenly shaped dome. However, for people with keratoconus, this isn’t the case.
What is Keratoconus and What Causes it?
Keratoconus is a condition that is characterized by the progressive thinning of the cornea. As it thins, the fibers that usually hold it in a regular dome shape become weaker, and this causes it to bulge outwards into a cone-like shape. This affects the way that light is refracted by the eyes, significantly affecting the vision of the patient.
Why some people develop keratoconus and some people don’t isn’t always clear. However, there are some factors that are believed to make the condition more likely. These include:
Spending a lot of time in the sun without UV protection
Excessive exposure to pollution, dry, dusty, and artificially heated/cooled environments
Oxidative stress
Persistent eye rubbing
Trauma to the eye
The slowly bulging shape of the cornea also makes wearing contact lenses increasingly difficult, since they no longer sit properly on the surface of the eyes. This can make contacts feel uncomfortable and your vision unstable.
Diagnosing keratoconus
Keratoconus does cause symptoms, and many people with the condition approach their eye doctor with concerns about their vision that have developed. Alternatively, keratoconus may be detected at routine eye exams.
The main symptoms that are associated with keratoconus include:
Mildly blurred vision
Distorted vision, meaning that lines that should be straight such as lampposts appear wavy instead
Eye redness
Swelling around the eyes
Increased sensitivity to light
Finding it hard to drive at night due to glare and brightness of lights
Finding it hard to wear contact lenses as they may feel uncomfortable, and your vision may seem unstable
Thankfully, diagnosing keratoconus is straightforward and requires just a couple of assessments, including an examination of the shape of your cornea. This is usually done using cutting-edge imaging technology which takes a 3D image of your cornea for evaluation.
Treating Keratoconus
If you are diagnosed with keratoconus, there are several different treatments that you may be offered. Which is right for you will depend on the severity of your keratoconus and the recommendation of your eye doctor. Treatment options include:
Scleral Lenses
Scleral lenses are often the first line of treatment for keratoconus. They are specialty contact lenses, meaning that they are different from the standard variety. Instead of maintaining contact with the entire surface of the cornea, they are designed to vault over the top of it, leaving a gap between the back of the contact lens and the front of the eye which can accommodate the bulging associated with keratoconus. They are also much larger than standard contact lenses (and available in a number of sizes) and made from rigid, gas-permeable material, which helps to keep them stable and your vision clear.
Intacs
Intacs are small, curved devices that are implanted into the cornea to flatten the bulge and improve your vision. This implantation is done surgically under local anesthetic.
Collagen Cross-Linking
This technique uses a special UV light in combination with medicated eye drops to strengthen the fibers of your cornea, slowing the progression of any bulging.
Surgical Corneal Transplant
In this surgical procedure, your natural cornea is removed and replaced with healthy corneal tissue from a donor.
If you have questions about keratoconus or if you would like to make an appointment to discuss your vision, please contact NVISION Eyecare in Rosedale Auckland at 09-884-0034 today.
