Keratoconus

The normally rounded and curved cornea is tapering and turning into a cone shape. The corneal layer, which is tapering more than normal, can not provide the light to break properly over time, Which causes irregular astigma and gradually deteriorating the vision level.

What are the symptoms of keratoconus? 

The first sign of keretaconus is blurred vision. In addition, among the complaints, increased sensitivity to light, glare, decreased night vision, headache, difficulty reading, double vision, burning, stinging and redness are the most common signs of the disease. Karetaconus impairs the patient's quality of life due to the fact that it lowers the quality of vision.

 

Causes of keratoconus? 

Keratoconus is often noticed at an early age, it can rarely occur in the twenties or later.

Genetic predisposition

Continuous rubbing of the eye due to allergic conjunctivitis

Sleeping habits that put pressure on the eyes for a long time

How is keratoconus diagnosed? 

Advanced keratoconus can be easily understood in a standard eye examination. In the initial phase, it is understood by advanced corneal examinations such as topography. However, if the number of glasses changes frequently as a result of the examination, excessive astigmatism, vision does not reach the highest level despite the glasses, a history of allergic eye disease in childhood and genetic situations leads to a detailed eye examination.

 

What are the treatment methods for keratoconus? 

The appropriate treatment method is determined by the physician who evaluates the structure of the eye and the course of the disease. The success of the treatment depends on the expertise of the physician, the stage of the disease, the reliability of the devices and products used with advanced technology.

 Glasses 

It can be used at an early stage or at every stage of treatment. The glasses are worn for complete vision and do not stop the progression of the keratoconus. In subsequent cases, irregular astigmatism can cause eyeglass prescriptions to be renewed frequently and patients' dissatisfaction with their lives.

 

Contact Lens 

Patients who do not want to wear glasses or do not get glasses can be given special lenses for early keratoconus. In the following stages, gas permeable and semi-rigid keratoconus lenses can be used. While these lenses provide improved vision, they may not be well tolerated by the eye. The use of lenses will not affect the healing of the square toxin and may cause irritation in the cornea of patients due to contact with the cornea for prolonged use. It can also prevent the progression of the disease from being noticed.

Cross linking

In cases where keratoconus continues to progress, it is a surgical method applied to the patient. It is extremely important that the patient's corneal thickness is appropriate. In this treatment, the eye is anesthetized first with an anesthetic drop. Then a very small dose of vitamin B2 is dropped on the patient's cornea. This process, which is applied in conjunction with UVA lights and takes a short period of time, can slow and even stop the progression of keratoconus by strengthening the tissue of the cornea that has a thinner and weakening collagen structure. After this procedure, patients can usually return to their daily lives within a week.