| Keratoconus is a non-inflammatory degenerative | | | | Over 90% of patients with keratoconus are |
| eye disease. Keratoconus causes damage to the | | | | affected in both eyes and over 6% are affected |
| collagen fibers in the cornea causing them to grow | | | | in one eye only. Keratoconus often strikes |
| weak. When it reaches a weak enough point in | | | | patients in one eye first and spreads to the other. |
| the fiber it bulges up like that of a hernia. | | | | However by the time the patient is diagnosed |
| Keratoconus causes irregular astigmatism, | | | | often the Keratoconus have affected both eyes. |
| steeping of the cornea, and vision loss in the | | | | If patients are not properly diagnosed before |
| cornea. This significantly affects the patient's daily | | | | Lasik they can develop Lasik-induced Keratoconus |
| life. Giving them grief when driving, reading and | | | | or Keratoectasia. There are many symptoms of |
| often completing day to day activities. | | | | Keratoconus and proper evaluation of eyes |
| Vision loss can be mild to severe in one or both | | | | regularly is best to catch Keratoconus or other |
| eyes. Keratoconus is diagnosed in 54.5 people out | | | | vision problems early. Below is a list of symptoms |
| of every 100,000 in the general population. | | | | of keratoconus: |
| However the concentration of diagnosed patients | | | | Glare and/or light sensitivity |
| being evaluated for Lasik is much higher, because | | | | Frequent prescription changesprogressive |
| people with keratoconus often seek Lasik to | | | | nearsightednessirregular astigmatism |
| correct their poor vision. Lasik surgery is not an | | | | High amounts of Astigmatisminferior steeping on |
| efficient treatment for those with Keratoconus | | | | corneal color mapping (topography)-red spots on |
| due to its underlying risks for complications and | | | | mapping |
| high incidences of causing a rapid progression of | | | | It is wise to check with your eye doctor if you |
| the condition necessitating more surgery even | | | | feel you have more serious case. Additionally |
| possibly the need for a cornea transplant. | | | | finding someone who is familiar with early signs of |
| Many vision correction surgeons use corneal | | | | Keratoconus is also wise as some doctors may |
| topography to map the eyes before treatment. | | | | not be familiar with them. Taking care of your |
| This gives them a better view of the corneas of | | | | eyes and vision is always a wise decision. |
| each patient. They use the mapping of both eyes | | | | Educating yourself can help you rule out issues in |
| to compare the changes and differences. The | | | | the future. Always consult your eye doctor if |
| patients must be mapped in both eyes because is | | | | there are changes in your vision. |
| useful to detect and stage keratoconus this way. | | | | |