Keratoconus

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What is Keratoconus ?

Keratoconus is a degenerative eye disease that causes the cornea to thin and bulge, creating a cone-like irregular shape. Because the cornea is responsible for refracting most of the light that comes into the eye, any irregularity of the cornea can result in significant visual impairment. Keratoconus most often appears in a person’s late teenage years; although it has been diagnosed in people in their forties and fifties. The eye disease has been estimated to occur in roughly one out of every 2,000 people in the general population. No significant geographical, gender, ethnic, or social pattern has been established, and keratoconus occurs in all parts of the world.

What are the risk factors for keratoconus?

Genetics. Patients with a family history of keratoconus or with certain systemic disorders, such as Down syndrome, are at a higher risk of developing keratoconus.

Chronic eye inflammation. Constant inflammation from allergies or irritants can contribute to the destruction of corneal tissue that may result in developing keratoconus.

Eye rubbing. Chronic eye rubbing is associated with developing keratoconus. It may also be a risk factor for disease progression.

Age. Keratoconus is often discovered in the teenage years. Generally, young patients with advanced keratoconus are more likely to need some form of surgical intervention as the disease progresses.

What are the symptoms of keratoconus?

Many keratoconus patients are unaware they have the disease, but it can easily be diagnosed using modern technology in eye exams available at Modern Eye Care of Portland. The earliest symptom is a slight blurring of vision or progressively poor vision that is not easily corrected.

Other symptoms of keratoconus include:

Glare and halos around lights
Difficulty seeing at night
Eye irritation or headaches associated with eye pain
Increased sensitivity to bright light
Sudden worsening or clouding of vision

How is keratoconus diagnosed?

In addition to a complete medical history and eye exam, Dr. Sabahi performs the following tests to diagnose keratoconus:

Corneal topography. This is the most accurate way to diagnose early keratoconus and follow its progression. A computerized image is taken that creates a map of the curve of the cornea.
Slit-lamp exam. This examination of the cornea can help detect abnormalities in the outer and middle layers of the cornea.
Pachymetry. This test is used to measure the thinnest areas of the cornea.

How is keratoconus treated?

Treatment of keratoconus focuses on correction of vision and depends on the stage of the disease.

Dr. Sabahi often treats her patients with Scleral lenses. Scleral contact lenses are prescribed for a variety of irregular cornea conditions. The lens was designed using the latest research on the shape of the eye.They are designed to vault or rise over the irregular cornea condition and land on the white part of the eye (called the sclera). The scleral lens is made from a gas permeable material. They are available in single vision and multifocal lenses.

available in Single Vision and Multifocal Lenses

This blog article highlights different contact lens options.

SynergEyes VS™ is available in Single Vision and
Multifocal Lenses

Progressive keratoconus can be treated by corneal collagen cross-linking. This one-time, in-office procedure involves the application of a vitamin B solution to the eye, which is then activated by ultraviolet light for about 30 minutes or less. The solution causes new collagen bonds to form, recovering and preserving some of the cornea’s strength and shape.While the treatment cannot make the cornea entirely normal again, it can keep vision from getting worse.

Cross-linking was approved as a treatment for keratoconus by the FDA in April 2016, after clinical trials showed that it stopped or produced a mild reversal in bulging of the cornea within three to 12 months after the procedure.

Can keratoconus be prevented?

There is no known prevention for keratoconus.