Keratoconus
- What is it?
It is a disorder of the cornea (the transparent anterior part of the eye). In keratoconus, the cornea has lost its normal curvature, leading to a conical protrusion mainly located infero-temporally.
- Causes
The etiology is not yet completely clarified. There is a hereditary basis causing a decrease in the number of bonds between collagen fibrils (the building blocks) of corneal stroma.
- Symptoms
The main symptom is a decrease in vision which cannot be corrected with glasses. In advanced cases, a number of other symptoms may appear, such as eye-redness and pain.
- Treatment
There is no radical treatment. Up to day, we have been using special contact lenses and intracorneal rings – in advanced cases – in an attempt to normalize corneal curvature. Corneal transplantation may be necessary in final advanced stages. Collagen cross-linking is the latest and most promising therapeutic method applied with great success over the last few years and aiming to strengthen the corneal tissues, thus stabilizing the condition.
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