What keratoconus is
Keratoconus is an eye disease in which the cornea thins and bulges forward from its normal round shape into a cone. It can cause nearsightedness, blurred vision and astigmatism. It usually affects both eyes and most often begins in the teenage years or young adulthood.
Causes
The cause of keratoconus is not fully understood. Research suggests a combination of genetic, hormonal and environmental factors. It can affect more than one member of a family, although most people with keratoconus have no family history of it. It has also been associated with excessive exposure to ultraviolet light, eye rubbing, allergies and chronic eye irritation.
Symptoms
Keratoconus develops slowly and can be hard to identify at first. Early on, people may notice minor blurring, and the symptoms are mostly indistinguishable from other refractive errors. As the disease progresses the signs become clearer: reduced visual acuity, poor night vision, eye strain and itching. The most characteristic symptom is monocular polyopia, where a single point of light appears as several scattered "ghost" images.
Treatment
Glasses and contact lenses may be enough in the early stages. As the disease progresses, more intensive treatment, and in some cases surgery, may be needed; several surgical procedures are used to treat keratoconus. Which option is suitable depends on the stage and the shape of your cornea, so an individual assessment is needed.
Spanish Eye Clinic in Dubai offers assessment and treatment of keratoconus. Our ophthalmologists examine the cornea, explain the options that apply to your case and work with you towards the result you are aiming for, within what the condition allows.