What is keratoconus?
Keratoconus is a corneal disease in which the normally rounded cornea bulges outward in a cone shape. It can lead to distortion of vision with multiple images, streaking, and sensitivity to light.
This disease appears to run in families. There are tiny fibers of protein present in the eye called collagen which help to hold the cornea in place and keep it from bulging out. When these fibers become weak, they cannot hold the shape and the cornea becomes progressively more cone-shaped.
How does keratoconus affect your vision?
Keratoconus affect your vision in two ways:-
- As the cornea changes to a cone shape, the smooth surface also warps. The term for this is irregular astigmatism.
- As the front of the cornea steepens, your eye becomes more nearsighted.
Who is at risk of developing this condition?
Keratoconus usually starts in the teenage years. It can begin in childhood or people of age 30. People with conditions like Down syndrome, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, and osteogenesis imperfecta are more at risk of developing this condition.
Males and females both are equally affected by this disorder.
What causes keratoconus?
Keratoconus can be caused by different environmental & genetic factors such as:
- Genetic inheritance
- Frequent eye rubbing may cause friction and can thin out the cornea causing eye injuries that lead to keratoconus.
- Chronic inflammation from allergies or irritants.
- Family history of keratoconus.
What are the signs and symptoms of keratoconus?
Signs and symptoms may change with the progress of the disease and usually present themselves as –
- Blurred or distorted vision
- Increased sensitivity to bright light and glare
- Problems with vision at night.
- Frequent changes in eyeglass prescriptions.
- Sudden worsening or clouding of vision is also seen.
Can keratoconus cause blindness?
Keratoconus does not lead to complete blindness but it can weaken the vision up to a certain level that it may affect normal life.
In severe cases, corneal rupture or intolerance to lenses can occur, which may lead to a corneal transplant
Can keratoconus be cured?
Keratoconus is a chronic eye disorder that weakens and thins the cornea, which can impact vision and daily life. Although there is no cure for keratoconus it can be managed successfully through medicines and early interventions.
Is Keratoconus a painful condition?
Keratoconus does not always cause eye pain but can cause discomfort and other eye problems in later stages like corneal scarring, increased sensitivity to light and diminished vision. Sometimes a rare complication of keratoconus known as corneal hydrops occurs when part of your cornea breaks and can cause pain and severe swelling of the eye.
Is Keratoconus always progressive?
Keratoconus is a slowly progressive disease of the eye in which thinning of the cornea occurs and it starts to bulge into a cone shape. Keratoconus usually starts at puberty and progresses into mid 30’s.
The progression rate is usually higher in younger patients, and the disease tends to stabilize around 20 years after it first appears. Most of the cases of keratoconus are bilateral but often asymmetrical.
How is keratoconus diagnosed?
This condition can be diagnosed by the use of the following methods-
Laboratory studies such as:
- Keratometry: This test measures corneal shape and astigmatism.
- Videokeratography
- Slit lamp biomicroscopy: This test combines a bright light and a microscope.
- Rigid gas permeable contact lens application allows the clinician to observe evidence of keratoconus.
Imaging studies such as:
- Computer-assisted video keratography
- Diagnostic use of rigid contact lenses
- Rabinowitz diagnostic test
What are the complications of keratoconus?
Keratoconus rarely progress over time and may cause following complications:
- Acute corneal hydrops.
- Central stromal edema
- Secondary severe corneal scarring.
- Infection
- Glaucoma
What are the homoeopathic medicines for keratoconus?
- Calcarea carb: Far-sighted vision with increased sensitivity to light.Excessive lachrymation in the open air and early in the morning. Eyelids are swollen, scurfy and itchy.
- Pulsatilla Nigricans: Cases of itching and burning in eyes with profuse lachrymation ameliorated from the application of cold water.
- Euphrasia Off.: The patient has a frequent inclination to blink with watery eyes. Burning and swelling of the lids are also commonly seen.
- Natrium mur: Suited to people with bruised feelings in their eyes and heavy eyelids. The patient has burning and acrid lachrymation.
- Kali carb: There is swelling over the upper eyelids with the painful sensation of light penetrating when closing the eyes.
