Keratoconus
What is Keratoconus?
Keratoconus is a progressive eye disease that affects the cornea, causing it to thin and bulge into a cone-like shape. This result in distorted vision, sensitivity to light, and difficulty with night vision. It typically affects both eyes and can lead to significant vision loss if left untreated.
What is the cause?
The exact cause of keratoconus is unknown, but it is thought to be a combination of genetic and environmental factors. There is a higher risk of developing keratoconus if you have a family history of the condition. Keratoconus must be inherited from both parents.
What are the signs and symptoms?
The most common symptoms of keratoconus are:
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Blurred vision
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Light sensitivity
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Halos around lights
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Double vision
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Difficulty seeing at night
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Astigmatism and short-sightedness
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Keratoconus symptoms typically develop at 10-15 years old.
How is Keratoconus treated?
There is no cure for keratoconus, but there are treatments that can help improve vision. The most common treatments are:
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Glasses or contact lenses: These can help to correct vision in the early stages of keratoconus. Specialist hard contact lenses are generally recommended.
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Corneal cross-linking: This is a procedure that uses ultraviolet light and vitamin B12 to strengthen the cornea. It can help to slow the progression of keratoconus.
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Corneal transplantation: This is a surgery that replaces the damaged cornea with a healthy cornea from a donor. It is the only treatment that can restore clear vision in people with advanced keratoconus.
Additional Information
Keratoconus is a progressive condition, which means that it gets worse over time.
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Keratoconus can affect both eyes, but it is usually worse in one eye than the other.
There is no way to prevent keratoconus.
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People with keratoconus are at an increased risk of developing other eye problems, such as corneal scarring and eye infections.
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If you have any questions or concerns about keratoconus, please talk to the team at Carrum Downs Eyecare and book an appointment with our experienced optometrists today.