Category: Keratoconus
Many younger Americans tune out information about debilitating eye conditions because they feel it does not apply to them until they are older. Keratoconus, however, is a serious corneal condition that primarily begins to affect patients in their teens and 20s. If you fall in that age range and need a quick education about what keratoconus is, the doctors at InVision Eye Care Specialists offer the following important information:
Keratoconus is a term used to describe the gradual thinning of the cornea. As the cornea gets weaker, your eye may bulge outward in a cone-like shape. Although your immediate concern may be that it looks less attractive than a round eyeball, in the long run this conical shape can negatively affect the quality of your sight.
The exact cause of keratoconus is unknown, but researchers have found that patients who rub their eyes frequently are more prone to the condition. Genetics also appear to play a role in 10 percent of cases. To lower your own risks, avoid touching your eye, and be aware of your family’s eye health history.
You may first become aware of keratoconus by seeing your cornea take on a conical shape. Other symptoms that can clue you in to having keratoconus include blurry or cloudy vision, a decreased ability to see at night, light sensitivity and a rapidly evolving eyeglass prescription.
At this point, scientists have not found a cure for keratoconus. Early on, a vision prescription in the form of eyeglasses or contact lenses can help counteract the problems keratoconus poses to your sight, but as the condition progresses, your cornea may become so weak that a corneal transplant becomes necessary.
Fortunately, InVision’s own Dr. Ashwinee Ragam offers a state-of-the-art intervention that is highly successful at preventing the need for a corneal transplant altogether. The procedure is called collagen cross-linking, and it involves placing riboflavin drops into the cornea to strengthen it and hold its existing shape. At the point of treatment, the cornea should not bulge out further, thereby preserving the current level of sight. Some patients even find that their sight slightly improves after cross-linking.
It is imperative that New Jersey patients who have or suspect they may have keratoconus receive early intervention to protect their sight. People with this corneal condition in Ocean County, Monmouth County and Lakewood, NJ should schedule an appointment with the experts at InVision Eye Care Specialists by calling (732) 607-8515.
