What is keratoconus?
Keratoconus is an eye disease. In this disease, the shape of the cornea is distorted and tapers forward. The cornea protrudes forward in the form of a cone. Cornea is the name given to the transparent dome-shaped layer in the front layer of the eye. Cornea is affected in keratoconus disease. Due to the change in the cornea as a result of the cornea being affected by the disease, the light coming into the eye cannot be focused in the visual field. As a result, the person begins to see blurred. A distorted vision occurs. Therefore, the person may not be able to perform daily tasks such as reading a book or driving a vehicle. Keratoconus is not a condition that causes permanent blindness and can be treated in various ways.
Causes of keratoconus
Although various researches have been carried out, the causes of keratoconus disease have not been determined with certainty. In some cases, it has been observed that the disease is inherited from the mother or father, but it is not possible to say that it is an inherited disease. Approximately 1 out of 10 people with keratoconus has a parent with this disease. Keratoconus usually appears in the late teens and early 20s. Vision problems associated with the disease gradually worsen over a period of about 10 to 20 years.
It has been suggested that poor quality contact lenses may be a possible cause of keratoconus, but this has not been proven and is therefore open to question.
The corneas of people with a predisposition to keratoconus are more easily damaged by minor trauma such as eye rubbing. If you have keratoconus, it is important to be careful not to rub your eyes. Because rubbing the eyes can damage the thin corneal tissues and worsen the symptoms. If your eyes itch for allergic reasons and you feel the need to rub, you should contact your ophthalmologist about the use of medication to control your allergy.
Keratoconus symptoms
Keratoconus usually affects both eyes and can cause very different problems between the two eyes. Symptoms may progress differently in each eye and change over time. In the early stage, the symptoms of keratoconus are
- Slight blurring of vision
- Slight deterioration of vision due to straight lines appearing bent or wavy
- Sensitivity to light and glare
- It can be listed as redness or swelling in the eye.
- Symptoms become more pronounced in advanced stages.
Some of the symptoms of advanced keratoconus;
- Increased visual impairment and blurred vision
- Increased myopia or astigmatism and need for spectacles
- Because the cornea protrudes, contact lenses do not fit the eye or cause discomfort
The transition from early to late stage of keratoconus usually takes years. However, in some people the deterioration occurs more rapidly. The cornea may suddenly swell and permanent hardening of the cornea, called scarring, may begin. When this scar tissue appears, the cornea loses its softness and clarity. As a result, vision becomes even more distorted and blurred.
