The specialist explains what the symptoms are and how the condition is diagnosed
World Keratoconus Day is celebrated on November 10th. The objective date increase awareness the population on the effects of the eye disease which affects approximately 150 thousand Brazilians every year.
This condition is characterized by progressive thinning of the corneaa thin, transparent layer that covers the entire front of the eyeball. In this way the cornea stops being round and acquires a cone shape, damaging and causing damage to vision visual distortions AND mist.
According to the Ministry of Health, the pathology is more recurrent among young people 10 and 25 years. According to the Brazilian Council of Ophthalmology (CBO), keratoconus is one of the main causes of approximately 13 thousand cornea transplants that are performed every year in Brazil.
Ophthalmologist Maria Regina Chalita is a cornea specialist and explains that the disease usually begins in late adolescence and can progress up to age 35. “There are cases, however, in which children with severe eye allergies develop keratoconus in childhood.”
The causes of keratoconus may be related to genetic factors AND behavioral. Rubbing your eyes too frequently, for example, can contribute to the development of the disease. “This habit can alter the curvature of the cornea, worsening or triggering keratoconus,” explains the specialist from CBV – Hospital de Olhos.
Symptoms and diagnosis of keratoconus
The diagnosis of eye disease is made by specific tests. They try to evaluate the curvature and thickness of the cornea, such as corneal topography and tomography.
Among the most common symptoms is rapid change in eyeglass prescriptionin particular the increase in astigmatism. Furthermore, the low visual acuity which does not improve completely with corrective lenses e difficulty seeing at night it might even be present. In some cases, the condition can affect both eyes asymmetrically, affecting one eye more than the other.
For people who have been diagnosed, ongoing follow-up with an eye doctor is essential.
«As the disease progresses, vision can worsen significantly and the use of glasses can become ineffective. In more serious situations, the patient may need to resort to the use of special contact lenses or even consider surgery. This is the case of corneal transplantation, for example”, concludes the ophthalmologist.
Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
