Keratoconus is a progressive condition in which the cornea becomes thinner and develops a cone-like shape, potentially causing distorted or blurred vision. While the condition can vary considerably from one person to another, early diagnosis and appropriate treatment can help preserve vision and reduce the risk of progression. For patients exploring Keratoconus treatment in Andheri Mumbai, Dr. Seema Behl at Smart Vision Eye Centre provides comprehensive ophthalmic evaluation and treatment options based on the severity and characteristics of the condition.
The cornea is the transparent front surface of the eye that helps focus incoming light. In keratoconus, structural weakening causes the cornea to become progressively thinner and steeper. This irregular shape can result in myopia and astigmatism and may make vision increasingly difficult to correct with ordinary spectacles.
The exact cause of keratoconus is not completely understood. Factors associated with the condition include genetic predisposition, oxidative damage, environmental influences and repeated or vigorous eye rubbing. Excessive ultraviolet exposure and chronic eye irritation may also contribute to corneal stress.
Symptoms may include:
Because these symptoms can overlap with other refractive problems, a detailed ophthalmic examination is important.
An accurate diagnosis is the foundation of keratoconus management. Smart Vision Eye Centre lists several investigations that can help identify the condition and determine its severity.
Eye refraction evaluates the patient’s refractive error and determines the clearest possible vision using specialised instruments.
Slit-lamp examination allows the ophthalmologist to examine the cornea under magnification and assess its shape and structural changes.
Keratometry measures the curvature of the cornea and provides information about its basic shape.
More detailed assessment can be performed using corneal topography and tomography. These computerised mapping techniques create detailed images of the corneal surface and provide information about corneal shape and thickness. They can be particularly useful in detecting early changes that may not be obvious during a routine eye examination.