Keratoconus is an abnormality of the cornea
of the eye in which it has a conical form rather than the usual regular
curvature.
(That this term concerns the cornea of the eye is indicated by the prefix
"kerato-" which refers to the cornea of the
eye, also applied to other terms in this section - as listed on the left).
Patients with keratoconus have corneas that each form
a rounded apex (hence the appearance of being "cone shape")
at its centre. That is, in most cases both eyes are affected, though
not always symetrically - in many cases asymetrically.
Occurrence:
Keratoconus is a fairly common condition that typically
develops during the patient's teens to 20s, and may be followed by progressive
blurring of vision caused by astigmatism due to the increasingly conic
shape of the cornea.
Typical Management:
Initially keratoconus may be managed by the use of prescribed
spectacles. At later stages the refractive correction may be better achieved
using contact lenses. Corneal
grafting may be recommended in some advanced cases.
More about Ophthalmology: This section includes short definitions
of many diseases, disorders, and conditions of the eyes and visual system.
For definitions of other terms in this category, choose from the list
to the left (but note that this is not a complete/exhaustive list).
Other related pages include the diagram
of the eye, and definitions
of parts of the eye, a description
of the human retina, and definitions
of parts of the retina, and the section of short definitions
of clinical and surgical procedures re. eyes and human visual system.
For further information see also our section of Books
about Ophthalmology. |
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This Section
is about
Diseases
and Disorders of the Eyes and Visual System.
To read about other diseases, disorders, or conditions of the eye and
human visual system, use the links on the left-side of this page.
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