KERATOCONUS TREATMENT IN BIRMINGHAM
Keratoconus
Keratoconus is a thinning & steepening of the cornea which distorts the cornea into a cone shape instead of a dome shape. Keratoconus is a condition that usually develops in teenagers or young adults & causing blurred vision that may not improve with glasses because of significant corneal irregularity (astigmatism) & short-sightedness (myopia). Occasionally corneal scarring may also cause blurred vision. Keratoconus often progresses causing even more distortion of the cornea & worse vision especially if a person continues to rub their eye.
The condition is quite rare in the UK but is much more comon in some other countries, for example, the Middle East. Keratoconus is very unlikely to cause blindness.
The causes:
The cause of keratoconus isn’t fuly known. But genetic, environmental & inflammatory factors are involved. The most important factor is eye rubbing which distorts the cornea in people who are susceptible to keratoconus. So, people who have allergies & itchy eyes should not rub their eyes or they can bend their corneas, change the shape & cause keratoconus. Many allergic conditions such as hay fever, eczema, asthma & other “atopic” conditions are associated with itchy eyes . Treating these conditions can reduce the eye itching. And antihistamine eye drops which soothe eyes, can prevent itching, rubbing & keratoconus.
If you’re curious about what’s happening at a cellular level in keratoconus, a structural weakness of the cornea is caused by a loss of cells & collagen (fibres which strengthen the cornea).
Keratoconus Diagnosis and Clinical Presentation:
Early diagnosis of keratoconus is difficult because the symptoms & signs can be subtle. Symptoms may include distorted or blurred vision which imroves but isn’t fully corrected with glasses. Frequent changes in glasses prescriptions & hypersensitivity to light are also early symptoms. Advanced scans, particularly corneal tomography or topography, which analyse the shape of the cornea are the best way to diagnose the condition early.
When the keratoconus is more advanced the cone shape of the cornea & other signs can be seen with the slit lamp microscope commonly used to examine the eye. Advanced keratoconus is also very obvious with topography & tomography. Progressive changes seen in the scans are also diagnostic of keratoconus. And keratoconus progression is monitored with sequential topography scans.
Keratoconus Management & Treatment:
Early keratoconus can be managed by stopping eye rubbing, spectacle correction or contact lenses. As the condition progresses, other treatments may be necessary. These can include:
- Corneal cross-linking to strengthen the corneal tissue & stop the disease progression
- Intrastromal corneal ring segments to reshape the abnormal cornea
- In advanced cases, corneal transplantation may be required
Recent advancements in treatment options have improved outcomes for patients with keratoconus. However, early detection & intervention are crucial for optimal management of this corneal disorder.
Do you have keratoconus?
Mark Wevill is an ophthalmologist & eye surgeon who has specialised in vision correction usually with lasers & intraocular lenses. He has been treating keratoconus & other vision problems in Birmingham & the West Midlands for many years. Click here to find the price of corneal cross linking treatment & we’ll find an affordable way for you to pay for cross linking.
