Kertatoconnus

Keratoconnus: is a progressive disease, often appearing in the teens or early twenties, in which the cornea thins and changes shape.

The cornea is normally a round or spherical shape, but with keratoconnus the cornea bulges, distorts and assumes more of a cone shape. This affects the way light enters the eye and hits the light-sensitive retina, causing distorted vision. Keratoconnus can occur in one or both eyes.

Keratoconnus Symptoms and Signs
Can be difficult to detect, because it comes on slowly. Nearsightedness and astigmatism also accompany this disease, so you may have distorted and blurred vision. You might also notice glare and light sensitivity. Keratoconic patients often have prescription changes each time they visit their eyecare practitioner. It’s not unusual to have a delayed diagnosis of Keratoconnus, if the practitioner is not familiar with the earlystage symptoms of the disease.

Cuases of Keratoconnus
These causes are unclear. A genetic link may exist, as you may find several keratoconics within an extended family.

Keratoconnus Treatment
In the mildest form of keratoconnus, spectacles or soft contact lenses may help. But as the disease progresses and the cornea thins and changes shape even more, glasses or soft contacts will no longer correct your vision.

Rigid gas permeable contact lenses are the next correction method choice. The firmer material of a rigid contact lens holds the cornea in place better than a soft contact lens.

Some people with keratoconnus can’t tolerate a rigid contact lens, or they reach the point where contact lenses or corneal inserts no longer provide acceptable vision.