Keratoconus may occur in all age groups, so what are the symptoms of keratoconus? What are its causes?
Keratoconus is a pathological condition that affects the cornea of the eye. It occurs when the cornea takes on an abnormal shape, increasing its curvature and protruding outward to change from a spherical shape to a conical shape, due to high pressure inside the eye.
Keratoconus often begins in the teens or twenties, but it can be diagnosed in childhood. The shape of the cornea changes over a long period that may reach several years, but it develops faster in younger patients. Know the symptoms of keratoconus:
Symptoms of keratoconus
Keratoconus causes symptoms, including
Gradually weakening of vision in one or both eyes, often in late adolescence.
Double vision when looking with one eye, even when wearing glasses.
Seeing halos around bright lights.
Glare and sensitivity to bright light, making it difficult to drive at night.
Blurred vision and gradual deviation of vision.
Sudden changes in vision in one eye.
Myopia and astigmatism.
You should go to an ophthalmologist if you feel that eye problems are developing rapidly.
Causes of keratoconus
The cause of keratoconus is unknown, but genetic and environmental factors may contribute to the condition.
Risk factors for keratoconus
There are factors that increase the likelihood of developing and developing symptoms of keratoconus, including:
Having a family history of keratoconus.
Rub the eye vigorously.
Some medical conditions, such as: retinitis pigmentosa, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, Down syndrome, hay fever, and asthma.
Diagnosis of keratoconus
To diagnose the symptoms of keratoconus, the degree of corneal curvature must be measured, and this is done through the following tests:
Ocular refraction
In which vision is examined by looking at a device that contains a wheel containing several lenses, to determine which lens or combination of lenses gives the patient the best vision.
Some doctors may use a hand-held instrument, called a retinoscope, to examine the eye.
Slit lamp examination
By shining a light beam perpendicular to the surface of the eye, the eye is examined through a microscope to determine the shape of the cornea and search for any other problems.
Keratometry
It is used to determine the shape of the cornea by shining a circle of light on the cornea and measuring the degree of reflection.
Computerized corneal planning
Images of the cornea are recorded by examining optical coherence imaging and corneal topography to a detailed, color map of the corneal surface and determine the thickness of the cornea.
