Keratoconus

Overview

Keratoconus is a progressive thinning of the cornea and is the most common cornea dystrophy in the United States, according to the National Eye Institute. In fact, it affects one in every 200 Americans. It happens when the middle of the cornea thins and bulges outward, gradually forming a rounded cone shape. This changes the cornea's refractive power producing astigmatism, or distortion, and nearsightedness, or blurriness.

Warning Signs & Symptoms

The earliest symptom is a subtle blurring of vision that is not correctable with glasses and it usually affects both eyes. As the astigmatism worsens, patients must rely on specially fitted contact lenses to reduce the distortion and provide better vision. It is crucial for the lens to fit because a poorly fitting lens could further damage the cornea and make wearing a contact lens intolerable

Treatment/Procedures

In most cases, the cornea will stabilize after a few years without ever causing severe vision problems. But in about 10 to 20 percent of people with keratoconus, the cornea will eventually become too scarred or will not tolerate a contact lens. If either of these problems occur, a corneal transplant may be needed.

Prevention

The cause of keratoconus is unknown, so there are no preventive measures.

Rehabilitation

If a corneal transplant is required, the patient must wear an eye patch for a certain period of time, which protects the new cornea from injury. Eye drops are required to prevent rejection of the transplant, and full vision recovery may take up to a year.