THE SIGNS & CAUSES OF KERATOCONUS
What is keratoconus?
Keratoconus is a slow, progressive eye disease that affects the cornea (clear window on the front of the eye), causing it to bulge forward resulting in an irregular cone shape. The disease often begins during adolescence and early adulthood and occurs in approximately one in 1,000 people, affecting men and women equally.
Keratoconus’ symptoms
The condition can affect one or both eyes and can cause a variety of symptoms including blurred vision, double vision, trouble seeing despite wearing glasses or contact lenses, as well as dizziness, headaches, and sensitivity to light.
Causes of keratoconus
While there is no specific known cause for keratoconus, there are conditions that might put you at a higher risk of getting it. For example, certain autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis might be tied to keratoconus. Other risk factors include lupus, Marfan syndrome, and sleep apnea.
While some people theorize that frequent eye rubbing could contribute to the changing shape of the cornea, this theory is not conclusive.
Does keratoconus lead to blindness?
No, keratoconus does not typically lead to blindness. It usually progresses for ten or more years after inception but with proper monitoring and the wide variety of treatment options available, blindness is easily avoidable.
If you or your eye doctor are concerned that you have it and you’re hoping to find a solution that works for you, get a free consultation today to see how we can help.