Keratoconus Details
An eye disease that causes the cornea to thin and bulge into a cone-like shape, distorting vision.
Book ConsultationWhat is Keratoconus?
Keratoconus is an eye disease that affects the cornea — the clear, dome-shaped front surface of the eye. In keratoconus, the normally round cornea thins and begins to bulge into a cone-like shape. This abnormal shape prevents light from focusing correctly on the retina, causing distorted and blurred vision. Keratoconus typically affects both eyes and usually begins in the teenage years or early 20s, then gradually worsens over 10-20 years before stabilizing. The exact cause is unknown, but it is believed to involve a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Early stages can be managed with glasses or soft contact lenses, but as the condition progresses, specialized contact lenses or surgery may be required.
Keratoconus Symptoms
- Blurred or distorted vision
- Increased sensitivity to bright light and glare
- Difficulty with night driving
- Frequent changes in eyeglass prescriptions
- Sudden worsening or clouding of vision
- Ghost images or multiple images in one eye
- Eye strain or headaches
- A cone-shaped appearance of the cornea (visible on examination)
Keratoconus Causes
- Genetic predisposition — approximately 10% of patients have a family member with the condition
- Excessive eye rubbing, especially in people with allergies
- Connective tissue disorders such as Ehlers-Danlos syndrome or Marfan syndrome
- Down syndrome
- Chronic eye irritation
- Hormonal changes during puberty and pregnancy
- Oxidative stress causing weakness in corneal tissue
- Certain ethnic backgrounds (higher prevalence in Middle Eastern, South Asian, and Mediterranean populations)
Treatment for Keratoconus
- Eyeglasses or soft contact lenses for early-stage keratoconus
- Rigid gas permeable (RGP) contact lenses to provide a smooth refractive surface
- Hybrid contact lenses with a rigid center and soft skirt
- Scleral contact lenses that vault over the cornea
- Corneal cross-linking (CXL) to strengthen corneal tissue and halt progression
- Intacs (corneal inserts) to flatten the cornea
- Topography-guided PRK laser surgery in select cases
- Deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK) or full corneal transplant in advanced cases
When to See a Doctor
You should see an eye specialist if you experience rapid changes in vision, increasing astigmatism, or symptoms that cannot be corrected with regular glasses. Early diagnosis is crucial because treatments like corneal cross-linking are most effective when performed before the condition becomes advanced. Children of parents with keratoconus should have regular eye exams starting in their early teens, as early detection allows for timely intervention.
Related Conditions
A condition where the eyes do not properly align with each other when looking at an object.
A clouding of the normally clear lens of the eye, leading to decreased vision.
Inflammation of the conjunctiva, the thin clear tissue that lies over the white part of the eye.
A diabetes complication that affects the eyes, caused by damage to blood vessels of the retina.
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