Keratoconus: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment
القرنية المخروطية
Keratoconus is a disease in which the cornea progressively thins and bulges forward into a cone shape, gradually distorting vision. It is relatively common in our region and begins in the teenage years. It is managed with special lenses and corneal cross-linking to halt progression, and corneal transplant in advanced cases.
What is Keratoconus?
Keratoconus is a disease affecting the cornea, the transparent front layer of the eye that focuses light. In this disease the cornea weakens and gradually thins, losing its regular spherical shape and bulging forward into a cone, which scatters light entering the eye and causes distorted, blurry vision that is not fully corrected by ordinary glasses.
The disease often begins in the teenage years or early twenties and progresses slowly over years before stabilizing. It is relatively more common in the Middle East and is linked to genetic factors and to frequent, vigorous eye rubbing, which is one of the most important avoidable factors.
The most important advance in treating keratoconus is the procedure of corneal cross-linking, which strengthens the corneal fibers and halts disease progression if performed early, protecting vision from deterioration. Early detection — especially in teenagers whose glasses change quickly or who have distorted vision — is therefore very important. Correction options include special rigid lenses, while corneal transplant remains for advanced cases.
Symptoms
- Distorted, blurry vision that increases gradually.
- Frequent, rapid changes in the glasses prescription.
- Light sensitivity and glare around lights at night.
- Difficulty with night vision.
Causes
- Weakening and thinning of corneal fibers, whose exact cause is unclear.
- Genetic factors and family history.
- Frequent, vigorous eye rubbing.
- A link to some allergies and conditions.
Risk factors
- A family history of the disease.
- Frequent eye rubbing and chronic allergy.
- The teenage years and early adulthood.
Diagnosis
- A full eye examination and refraction measurement.
- Corneal topography to map its surface and detect the cone-shaped bulge.
- Corneal thickness measurement.
Treatment
Halting progression
- Corneal cross-linking to strengthen the cornea and stop disease progression early.
Vision correction
- Glasses in early stages.
- Special rigid contact lenses in moderate stages.
- Intracorneal rings in selected cases.
Advanced cases
- Corneal transplant when other options fail.
This content is educational and does not replace consulting an eye doctor.
Complications
- Vision deterioration if diagnosis and treatment are delayed.
- Corneal scarring in advanced cases.
- The need for a corneal transplant.
Prevention
- Avoiding vigorous eye rubbing and treating the allergy causing it.
- Early detection, especially with a family history.
- Follow-up to perform cross-linking early when needed.
When to see a doctor
See an eye doctor for frequent, rapid glasses changes, distorted vision, or glare around lights, especially in the teenage years or with a family history. Early detection allows halting the disease. Book an appointment with an ophthalmologist on ClinicsJo.