Keratoconus: causes,symptoms,treatments,

One of the very rare ophthalmic diseases non-inflammatory type keratoconus is characterized by thinning of the cornea under the influence of structural pathological disorders. As a result, the pressure within the eye bulges forward, and the cornea gradually changes the usual spherical shape to a conical.

the Nature of keratoconus is associated with violation of properties of the fibers of the cornea due to the reduction of collagen, proteins, enzymes and other necessary substances. This produces that the cornea loses its elasticity and stretches quickly.

in addition to external manifest keratoconus affects visual acuity: it is reduced because of the uneven penetration of refracted sweetpotato distorted visual perception. This process is accompanied by severe pain when the cornea is torn, reaching the critical value of thinning, and after healing her appear characteristic scars.

Treatment is to suspend the development of the pathology and to stabilize the level of protrusion of the eyes, because progressive keratoconus causes a problem with selecting a telephone points, and the correction lens may be rejected by physicians because of their intolerance. If the disease is not treated, it can result in not just a deterioration, but total loss of vision.

the

the Course of disease

the First manifestations of the disease — in the juvenile period. In rare cases it develops in young people 20-30 years. Deformation progresses slowly — for five, and even ten years. Although there are exceptions to the rule, when keratoconus is manifested very quickly-within 3-5 months.

Statistics show that the overall frequency of diagnosis of the disease is from 0.01 to 0.6%, and any racial or sex differences between the patients was observed. Often keratoconus is a bilateral, not asymmetric.

the

Cause of disease

the Exact causes of keratoconus not yet fully explored, but doctors believe that they can be:

the
    the
  • negative environmental situation;
    • the
  • malfunction of the hormonal system, causing metabolic disorders;
    • the
  • weakened immune system;
    • the
  • trauma
    • the
  • genetics.

But most professionals leans towards the hereditary-metabolic etiology of the disease.

has Been marked and direct correlation of keratoconus that diseases such as asthma, hay fever, atopic dermatitis, eczema, conjunctivitis, down syndrome and Marfan. Numerous studies have shown that keratoconus is often seen in patients taking corticosteroids, in dusty environments and exposed to long-term exposure to ultraviolet and radiation.

the

Symptoms of disease

the Main symptoms of keratoconus include the following symptoms:

the
    the
  • and the inability to correct the distortions of the visual apparatus glasses or contact lenses;
    • the
  • permanent reduction in visual acuity.
    • the
  • distortion of vision – stains and ghosting in the dark, razdvajanje items, erosion-definition of buskins, etc.;
    • the
  • fatigue and burning sensation, which is manifested in stages III-IV;
    • the
  • protrusion of the cornea in the later stages of disease progression.
the

Diagnostic measures

In the early stages, keratoconus is often diagnosed incorrectly, such as astigmatism, because the main manifestations of these two diseases are very similar. The exception is the survey conducted on the modern equipment, which includes procedures such as:

the
    the
  • ophthalmometry;
    • the
  • biomicroscopy;
    • the
  • computer keratometry;
    • the
  • skiascopy;
    • the
  • imaging of the coherent type.

They allow to distinguish keratoconus from other diseases of the organs of vision. Despite the fact that these studies can be quite expensive, they definitely should go, since the right diagnosis is key to proper treatment and a favorable prognosis.

the

Main therapies

the Program of treatment of the disease is assigned depending on the stage of the disease and the condition of the visual apparatus of the patient. This may be a conservative method, which includes the installation of semi-rigid scleral lenses, indenting protruding cone of the cornea. With their help, you can fix the effects of keratoconus and to suspend its development because unlike traditional lenses and glasses they do not put pressure on the cornea, do not hurt her and let in a lot of oxygen.

No less effective proven vitamin therapy, the purpose of antioxidants and modulators of the immune system, physical therapy, bandaging with mydriatic drugs, and cross-living.

This procedure applies to I-II stage and is to use Riboflavin, which buries itself in the eye. After pressure UV lamp, the rays of which are directed into the space between the fibers of the cornea. As a result, it becomes dense and able to retain its original shape.

the progressive methods include:

the
    the
  • Thermokeratoplasty – the application point of the coagulating applications on the cornea.
    • the
  • support the Implantation of the rings - during the procedure, the cornea is set the ring of a material compatible with the tissues. They form the skeleton, which resists the pressure and keeps the eyes in the initial position. It is a progressive and very effective method to stop the progression of the disease and prevent deterioration of visual function.
    • the
  • Ceroplastics operation – transplant in place of the cornea of the donor material, which is characterized by almost absolute engraftment.

    • Treatment with the femtosecond laser.

the

treatment Prognosis and prevention of disease

the treatment of the disease can be very good: keratoconus stabiliziruemost even at the latest stage of its development, especially if it was diagnosed at 15-17 years of age and is characterized by slow flow.

the Treatment may be accompanied by complications such as opacity and corneal perforation, postoperative astigmatism. But it is quite rare for these side effects eventually pass by themselves.

If to speak about preventive measures, it did not initially start endocrine, immune, allergic and inflammatory diseases, contributing to the formation of keratoconus, to regularly carry out a vision test and at the first signs of a breach-definition “pictures” to see an ophthalmologist. This will help to detect diseases at an early stage and, therefore, will increase the chances of a favorable outcome.

Article prepared by the specialists of ophthalmologic clinic "Eksimer"

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Source: http://uzinform.com.ua/

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