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What is Keratoconus?

Keratoconus (KC) is a non-inflammatory condition of the cornea in which there is progressive central thinning of the cornea changing it from dome-shaped to cone-shaped.

Misshapen Cornea

Keratoconus comes from the Greek word meaning conical cornea. The cornea is the clear windshield of the eye and is responsible for refracting most of the light coming into the eye. Therefore, abnormalities of the cornea can greatly affect the way we see the world. 

Keratoconus is not a blinding disorder, but does result in increasing near-sightedness (things far away are out of focus) and irregular astigmatism (things look tilted) that can significantly distort your vision. It is almost always bilateral (affecting both eyes). It is a slowly progressive disorder, taking years to develop, and may halt at any stage from mild to severe.

Keratoconus usually has its onset in puberty with progression over a 10 to 20 year period. This rate of progression is variable as well as the severity, ranging from mild astigmatism to severe corneal thinning, protrusion, and scarring.

Signs & Symptoms

Patients with KC initially notice visual blurring and distortion. This may be accompanied by photophobia (light sensitivity) and glare. Patients may note the need for frequent changes in their glasses.

In the advanced stages, there may be a precipitous drop in vision due to clouding of the cornea, referred to as acute corneal hydrops. This condition usually resolves over weeks to months but is often followed by central corneal scarring.

Treatment

What treatment options are available?

Treatment of keratoconus depends on the severity of the condition. Initially, eyeglasses are often successful in correcting the myopia (near sightedness) and astigmatism; however, as the disease advances vision is not adequately corrected and requires rigid contact lenses to aid in flattening the corneal surface and providing optimal visual correction. Contact lens fitting can be difficult in patients with KC requiring frequent visits and lens changes but recent advances in the contact lens industry as provided more fitting options.

New available treatments include:

Cross-Linking
Intrastromal Corneal Rings
Phakic Lens Implantation

Lastly, when good vision can no longer be attained with contact lenses or intolerance to the contact lens develops, corneal transplantation is recommended. This is only necessary in about 10% of patients with KC and carries a success rate of greater than 90%, one of the highest for corneal transplantation. Although this procedure replaces the thinned central portion of the corneal, eyeglasses and contact lenses are often required for maximal visual acuity.

Learn More About Corneal Transplant Surgery
Key Points Summary
  • Specialized Corneal Imaging: Advanced imaging techniques used to diagnose and monitor the progression of keratoconus.
  • Customized Contact Lenses: Specially designed lenses to correct vision and support the cornea.
  • Collagen Cross-Linking: A treatment option to strengthen the corneal structure and slow disease progression.
  • Progressive Treatment Approaches: Continuous evaluation and treatment adaptation to manage the condition effectively.
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Copyright Š 2024 Tijuana Eye Center. All Rights Reserved.Todos Los Derechos Reservados. ATENCION AL PUBLICO EN GENERAL Permiso COFEPRIS 203300201A0987 LS 17AM020040034 Responsable Sanitario Dr. Juan P. Rodriguez P. 4452528 Escuela Superior de Oftalmologia del Instituto Barraquer de America.

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