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Keratoconus is a kind of eye disease that makes the round cornea thin and makes it like a bulge of cone like shape. This is a common condition in teens and those who are in their early twenties. Due to the change in the shape of the cornea the vision gets affected. This condition can occur in one eye or both the eyes. There is not much awareness about this condition and not many people know about it unless they or someone from their family and friends get this eye disease.
Symptoms of Keratoconus -
Keratoconus is eye disease and its symptoms take time to show and that is this condition is quite difficult to get detected. But that is not the case with all the patients suffering from this eye condition, as some people may develop the symptoms pretty fast. Due to affecting the shape of the cornea, this disease causes vision problems. Nearsightedness and irregular astigmatism are some of the eye conditions that are result of Keratoconus. Distorted and blurred vision is the first sign of Keratoconus. Increased sensitivity to the light and the need to change the eyeglasses often are some other signs of Keratoconus.
Causes of Keratoconus -
The main reason behind the weakening of the corneal tissue is an imbalance of enzymes within the cornea and this is what responsible for causing Keratoconus. Genetic predisposition is also one of the major causes of weakening of the cornea. Overexposure to sunlight, wrong fitting contact lenses and excessive rubbing of the eyes can also weaken the cornea.
Treatment for Keratoconus -
Depending on the mild, moderate and severe levels of Keratoconus the treatment mode will be decided by your eye doctor. In the mild form of this eye disease eyeglasses and soft contact lenses are really useful. In the moderate to severe cases of Keratoconus the condition can be really tricky, as glasses and contact lenses will also not be sufficient to provide correct vision. There are several treatment options for treating the moderate and severe forms of Keratoconus.
- Gas permeable contact lenses are a better choice to treat the moderate and severe forms of Keratoconus. These contact lenses replace the cornea's irregular shape with a smooth and uniform refracting surface. It is very effective treatment in order to control Keratoconus and improve the vision. There is one disadvantage though, as these lenses are not a comfortable wear and fitting it on the irregular shape of the cornea is in itself a big task.
- The new designs of hybrid contact lenses are also a good choice to solve the problems of vision associated with Keratoconus. These contact lenses are very comfortable to wear and they are also available in variety of shapes that can fit on any kind of irregular shaped cornea.
- Intacts are also used for treating Keratoconus conditions, as they have approved by FDA. These are like plastic inserts, which are tiny in shape and can be placed under the eye's surface in the cornea and thus help in reshaping the cornea. By reshaping the cornea it also gives clearer vision.
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