World Keratoconus day....ah, what's keratoconus?

It's World Keratoconus day and I am guess you are asking, how do you say that word and what even is it?

Keratoconus is a degenerative genetic eye condition which affects teenagers and young adults. The cornea, the primary focusing lens of the eye, becomes distorted and warped in shape, leading to bad vision. Glasses can't fully correct it. Laser eye surgery can't fix it. In severe cases, patients can end up having a corneal transplant. It is the most common reason for corneal transplants in Australia.

While it is not super common, keratoconus should be considered in any child or teenager with worsening eyesight, especially if there is a family history of keratoconus. Common warning signs are increasing astigmatism, rubbing of the eyes and reduced school performance. Allergies are a common association.

Keratoconus can be picked up by your optometrist and eye surgeon. The best test is something called a corneal topography scan. This maps out the shape of your cornea and shows the distortion.

Fortunately there is now treatment to stop keratoconus getting worse. For me, the treatment of keratoconus has been a big part of my career. Let me tell you the story in my next blog post. You might interested in this link in the meantime. It's a link to the website of some of my international colleagues whom I have worked with to find new ways forward for keratoconus.

https://defeatkeratoconus.com/

* Information on this blog is general in nature and should not be taken as professional medical advice or as a substitute for a consultation with a medical professional.