Keratoconus is a disease that causes a progressive thinning of the cornea, the clear front portion of the eye. As a result of this condition, the normal outward pressure from within the eye causes the cornea to progressively bulge into a cone-like shape.
Keratoconus rarely results in total blindness although it can significantly impair vision and, according to experts, lead to the need for a corneal transplant in up to 20% of cases.
Keratoconus is estimated to affect one in 2,000 people across all races. In most people, keratoconus begins during their teen years and slowly worsens before stabilizing in their 30’s or 40’s. |
|
Keratoconus causes the cornea to bulge
outward
into a steep, cone-like shape
While nobody knows the cause of keratoconus, there is evidence that the disease has genetic origins, possibly made worse by environmental factors. It normally affects both eyes, though it typically progresses at different rates. |
