What is Keratoconus?
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Several people have the habit of rubbing their eyes whether it be due to allergies, dry eyes , or just irritation in general. Eye rubbing may seem harmless since it provides some soothing sensation, like scratching an itch. However, rubbing your eyes can cause more damage than you think.
Keratoconus has been associated with eye rubbing and is a degenerative eye disease that leads to structural changes within the corneal tissue. This progressive condition results in the thinning and weakening of the cornea, which eventually causes it to deform and adapt a cone-like shape. When the cornea's shape has altered enough, it fails to allow light to focus properly on the retina and therefore impairs vision. In its more advanced stages, keratoconus could result in irreversible corneal deterioration.
Symptoms of keratoconus include:
Blurred or distorted vision
Astigmatism
Inability to see in dim light
Vision loss
It is important to not rub your eyes and keep them well lubricated by using eye drops. Treating dry eye or allergies is an important component of trying to prevent the progression of keratoconus.
Treatment
The treatment of keratoconus is to stabilize the condition and prevent further progression into corneal transplantation. For most patients, once the keratoconus is stabilized, optimal vision is achieved with specialty contact lenses.
Our doctors at Wang Vision Institute can professionally diagnose and treat keratoconus. If you’re experiencing any symptoms, contact us today for more information or to set up an appointment.
If you want to learn more about keratoconus or about general eye health, attend one of our FREE Vision Webinars every Tuesday beginning at 7 p.m. CST.