Keratoconus Philippines

KERATOCONUS, EYE RUBBING AND SLEEP POSITION EYE RUBBING Your position of sleep can cause keratoconus! Keratoconus is most often than not associated with eye rubbing. Do you know that keratoconus patients rub their eyes longer (10 to 180 seconds) than other patients without keratoconus (<5 seconds)?    Eye rubbing temporarily reduces the epithelial thickness by about 18% , and it will take about 15 to 45 minutes for the corneal thickness to get back to the baseline.    However, there are patients who deny that they rub their eyes, it has been said that there is a genetic factor that makes a patient more susceptible to keratoconus. The condition is also associated with some connective tissue disorders, allergies, and other environmental factors. Today, we talk about sleeping positions.    SLEEP POSITION AND KERATOCONUS Some studies say that incorrect sleeping positions may also contribute to the risk of developing keratoconus. A study found some associatio...

Keratoconus typically starts at puberty and progresses until the third or fourth decade of life. At initial diagnosis, younger patients with the steepest corneal curvature (Kmax) of over 55 D have a significantly greater risk of progression. Keratoconus seen at this age is more aggressive, leading to more severe cases. Without any management, the corneal curvature becomes more conical in shape, which can cause worsening of vision, thinning and scarring of the cornea, and possible development of hydrops. However, it tends to stabilize after 20 years from the first diagnosis.  To detect keratoconus progression, some corneal parameters need to be evaluated.  WHAT THE EYE DOCTOR IS LOOKING FOR? -Increase maximum corneal refractive power (Kmax) by more than 1 Diopter within one year.  -An increase in (corneal) myopia by more than 3 Diopter or astigmatism by more than 1.5 Diopter within one year. -An average corneal refractive power increase by more than 1.5 Diopter within one ...

Scleral lenses are fitted to patients with complicated prescriptions and irregular corneas. A common question I encountered is "Doc, is it safe to drink alcoholic beverages while I am wearing my scleral lenses?" . Looking into the different papers on the effects of alcoholic beverages on the eye, alcohol, similar to coffee and smoking, can induce some ocular dryness.  Studies noted the presence of ethanol in tears of patients within 6 to 12 hours after drinking alcoholic beverages. The presence of ethanol in tears may cause increased evaporation rate, increased corneal staining, and decreased tear volume, leading to dry eyes.  Unlike in soft contact lenses, the material of scleral lenses does not undergo dehydration. However, scleral lens wearers may still feel some symptoms of dryness.    It is essential, though, to be sure to be still able to remove your lenses when you get home, clean and store them properly. We have one patient who was ...

It is often disheartening to learn that one has keratoconus.  But somehow, it gives a sort of relief as the vision issues being experienced before while growing up has a name and can now be managed appropriately. According to the American Optometric Association, keratoconus is a condition that occurs when the normally round cornea (outer, transparent part of the eye) becomes thin and cone-shaped.  This irregularity prevents the light entering the eye from being focused correctly on the retina which then causes distortion and blurring of vision.   Growing up, parents would notice that there was a need to change the prescription of their child more frequently.  It seemed that the prescription was always taken incorrectly, and your child’s astigmatism and nearsightedness got higher with each vision examination. Then eventually, the prescription was not enough to provide the patient with the usual coveted 20/20 perfect vision with their glasses or con...

Scarring on the cornea  Does a scar on the cornea in a keratoconus patient mean it is time for corneal transplant?    Keratoconus we know can cause deterioration of vision due to the high nearsightedness and astigmatism brought about by the irregular corneal surface.  You can imagine a road with a hilly peak. When keratoconus progresses, that peak can have scarring which makes the vision turn worse. Oftentimes patients would just see shapes and shadows and have difficulty recognizing images. At this time, it seems discouraging, but before jumping into the decision of a definite corneal transplant, why not try to have contact lenses fitted?  In a more advanced condition, the contact lens of choice will be scleral lenses.  Unlike small gas permeable lens which can pop out and be unstable in advanced cases, scleral lens vaults the entire cornea and so is stable and comfortable on eye.  Scleral lenses make the cornea a...