What Causes Keratoconus?

While the exact cause of keratoconus has not been identified, there are a series of genetic and environmental factors that may play a role. People at a greater risk of keratoconus include those with: - a family history of keratoconus - Down Syndrome - Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome - allergies (including hay fever) It is also thought that excessive eye rubbing and chronic eye irritation may be linked to the condition.

What Are the Best Treatment Options for Keratoconus?

There are many different treatment options for keratoconus and no specific one is the best in every case. The stage and severity of the condition will affect how an optometrist will recommend it is treated. Rigid Gas Permeable contact lenses, Intacs, corneal cross-linking and corneal transplant surgery are all effective ways of treating keratoconus. For mild forms of the condition, regular prescription contact lenses and glasses can be used to correct the visual impairment it causes.

What is the Success Rate of Surgery for Keratoconus?

Corneal transplants are mostly successful and can provide improved vision without complication for 10 years (NHS, 2021). The new tissue can be rejected by the existing cornea and symptoms of rejection occur in approximately 1 in 5 full-thickness transplants. However, the large majority (95%) will still be successful despite these symptoms (NHS, 2021).

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Overview

Symptoms of keratoconus

Keratoconus presents a variety of symptoms depending on the severity of the condition and the individual case. Changes to the shape of the cornea lead to irregular astigmatism, which is a refractive error of the eye. This causes the vision loss and distortions that are typical of keratoconus.

The first symptoms you are likely to notice are blurry or distorted vision. This may come in the form of double-vision, and straight lines appearing curved or wavyPeople with keratoconus often experience frequent changes in their vision and symptoms and may have to regularly update their prescription glasses or contact lenses. As the condition progresses, the eyes become more astigmatic, meaning that Gas Rigid Permeable lenses may be needed to replace glasses or regular contact lenses.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What Causes Keratoconus?

While the exact cause of keratoconus has not been identified, there are a series of genetic and environmental factors that may play a role. People at a greater risk of keratoconus include those with:

- a family history of keratoconus

- Down Syndrome

- Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome

- allergies (including hay fever)

It is also thought that excessive eye rubbing and chronic eye irritation may be linked to the condition.
What Are the Best Treatment Options for Keratoconus?

There are many different treatment options for keratoconus and no specific one is the best in every case. The stage and severity of the condition will affect how an optometrist will recommend it is treated.

Rigid Gas Permeable contact lenses, Intacs, corneal cross-linking and corneal transplant surgery are all effective ways of treating keratoconus. For mild forms of the condition, regular prescription contact lenses and glasses can be used to correct the visual impairment it causes.
What is the Success Rate of Surgery for Keratoconus?

Corneal transplants are mostly successful and can provide improved vision without complication for 10 years (NHS, 2021).

The new tissue can be rejected by the existing cornea and symptoms of rejection occur in approximately 1 in 5 full-thickness transplants. However, the large majority (95%) will still be successful despite these symptoms (NHS, 2021).