Keratoconus

Introduction: Keratoconus

Keratoconus: This disorder--a progressive thinning of the cornea--is the most common corneal dystrophy in the U.S., affecting one in every 2000 ... more about Keratoconus.

Keratoconus: A rare degenerative eye disorder where the corneas of the eye become progressively thinner and cone-shaped which affects vision. More detailed information about the symptoms, causes, and treatments of Keratoconus is available below.

Symptoms of Keratoconus

• Blurred vision
• Astigmatism
• Myopia
• Both eyes affected
• Blurred vision

See full list of 9 symptoms of Keratoconus

Wrongly Diagnosed with Keratoconus?

• Underlying causes of Keratoconus (possibly wrongly diagnosed)

Causes of Keratoconus

• Excessive eye rubbing
• Hard contact lenses
• Retinitis pigmentosa
• Retinopathy of prematurity
• Vernal keratoconjunctivitis

See full list of 9 causes of Keratoconus

More information about causes of Keratoconus:

• Underlying causes of Keratoconus
• Keratoconus as a symptom

Treatments for Keratoconus

• Eyeglasses
• Contact lenses
• Corneal transplant

Read more about treatments for Keratoconus

Videos for Keratoconus

Patient Surveys for Keratoconus

• Patient Profile Survey
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• Survey about the symptoms of your Keratoconus
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Prognosis for Keratoconus

More about prognosis of Keratoconus

Reseach about Keratoconus

Visit our research pages for current research about Keratoconus treatments.

Clinical Trials for Keratoconus

The US based website ClinicalTrials.gov lists information on both federally and privately supported clinical trials using human volunteers.

Some of the clinical trials listed on ClinicalTrials.gov for Keratoconus include:

• Relationship Between Central Corneal Thickness and Intraocular Pressure Measures Instruments. - This study is currently recruiting patients (Current: 23 Nov 2006)
• Intacs for Keratoconus - This study is currently recruiting patients (Current: 23 Nov 2006)
• Management of Patients With Keratoconus With Intacs - This study has been terminated (Current: 23 Nov 2006)
• A Clinical Study of Keratoconus in Asian Patients and Assessment of Different Topographic Patterns of Keratoconus in Asian Patients - This study has been completed (Current: 23 Nov 2006)
• The Collaborative Longitudinal Evaluation of Keratoconus (CLEK) Study - This study is no longer recruiting patients (Current: 23 Nov 2006)

See full list of 7 Clinical Trials for Keratoconus

Statistics for Keratoconus

• Medical statistics for Keratoconus
• Prevalence and incidence statistics for Keratoconus
• Death and Mortality statistics for Keratoconus
• Society statistics for Keratoconus

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User Interactive Forums

Read about other experiences, ask a question about Keratoconus, or answer someone else's question, on our message boards:

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Article Excerpts about Keratoconus

This disorder--a progressive thinning of the cornea--is the most common corneal dystrophy in the U.S., affecting one in every 2000 Americans. It is more prevalent in teenagers and adults in their 20s. Keratoconus arises when the middle of the cornea thins and gradually bulges outward, forming a rounded cone shape. This abnormal curvature changes the cornea's refractive power, producing moderate to severe distortion (astigmatism) and blurriness (nearsightedness) of vision. Keratoconus may also cause swelling and a sight-impairing scarring of the tissue. (Source: excerpt from Facts About the Cornea and Corneal Disease: NEI)

Definitions of Keratoconus:

A noninflammatory, usually bilateral protrusion of the cornea, the apex being displaced downward and nasally. It occurs most commonly in females at about puberty. The cause is unknown but hereditary factors may play a role. The -conus refers to the cone shape of the corneal protrusion. (From Dorland, 27th ed) - (Source - Diseases Database)

Abnormal cone-shaped protrusion of the cornea of the eye; can be treated by epikeratophakia - (Source - WordNet 2.1)

Keratoconus is listed as a "rare disease" by the Office of Rare Diseases (ORD) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). This means that Keratoconus, or a subtype of Keratoconus, affects less than 200,000 people in the US population.
Source - National Institutes of Health (NIH)