Keratoconus:
A non-inflammatory degenerative disease of the eye in which the cornea thins and takes on a conical shape. Keratoconus can lead to severe visual disturbances. Most often, patients complain of photophobia, double vision, image dirt. The disease is the most common form of corneal dystrophy. Keratoconus affects about one in a thousand people, regardless of nationality or place of residence. The diagnosis is usually made in adolescence, and the course of the disease reaches its most severe stage at the age of twenty or thirty.
Until now, keratoconus remains a little studied disease, the causes of its appearance are unclear and also it is not possible to predict the course of disease after diagnosis.With the development of keratoconus in both eyes, a person can lose the ability to drive a car and even read printed texts in a traditional font. Almost never keratocon leads to complete blindness and, in most cases, the vision can be significantly improved by contact lenses.If the disease progresses in a more severe stage, surgery may be necessary.Leaving a mystery for physicians, keratoconus is no longer a problem for equally serious patients as it was before developing therapy methods, contact correction and microsurgical appearance.
What are the risk factors for keratoconus?
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Genetics. Patients with a family history of keratoconus or certain systemic disorders, such as Down syndrome, have a higher risk of developing keratoconus.
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Chronic inflammation of the eyes.Constant inflammation from allergies or irritants can contribute to the destruction of corneal tissue which can lead to the development of keratoconus.
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Rubbing the eyes. Chronic rubbing of the eyes is associated with the development of keratoconus. It can also be a risk factor for disease progression
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Age.Keratoconus is often discovered during adolescence. In general, young people with advanced keratoconus are more likely to need surgery as the disease progresses.
