Keratoconus


Table of Content


Keratoconus is one of the progressive dystrophies  of the cornea, caused by inborn metabolic disorders.

It is believed that abnormal collagen cross-link structure of the corneal stroma is the reason, which  leads  to thinning of the stroma and corneal distension,  but  peripheral zones are retained. Presumably, changes occur primarily in the basal cell layer of the corneal epithelium.  Secretion of proteolytic or autilytic enzymes   from damaged corneal epithelial cells may result in depolymerization of sulphide connections in hyaluronic acid, which   causes  damage to stromal collagen fibers.

Keratoconus usually manifests itself in the second or third decade of life. By definition, that applies to both eyes and the degree of development is usually different. Some cases of unilateral cone are treated as a state of  different lesion advancement. The disease is progressive and most frequently changes are progressing by leaps and bounds, after which there  may occur differently long lasting periods of stability. Mental crises, hormonal changes, stress may contribute to  disease progression. In over  55 –year old patients, development of changes is usually stopped.

The incidence of disease   given by different authors ,  varies from 1:1000 to 1:2500, however , it is  clearly increased in the areas of “closed” genetically (e.g . in island countries).
Older studies indicate that incidence in women  was more numerous, however, more recent research  shows more in  men.

Keratoconus is more common in general diseases  like  Down’s syndrome, Turner, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, Marfan syndrome in atopic diseases, osteoporosis imperfecta, mitral valve prolapse and ocular disorders such as vernal keratoconjunctivitis, anirydia, Leber’s congenital  blindness, pigmentary degeneratiion of retina , ectopia lentis.

Symptoms of keratoconus:

  • rapid  progressive deterioration of visual acuity
  • rapid progressive blurring, distortion of the image in one eye
  • rapidly growing astigmatism and myopia in one eye
  • blurring of  the image (poliopia monocular)
  • sensitivity to light (photophobia)
  • itching and redness in eyes
  • symptom of a halo around the light source (blurred sharpness of vision)
  • rarely, the first symptom is so-called sharp cone – a sudden hazy vision, which may persist for several weeks and cause eye pain

Munson symptom is one of the subjective symptoms.

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Photo. 1. Munson`s  symptom 

 

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Fig.1 Example of corneal topography with a cone located far on  the circuit. In this examination,  we diagnosed  astigmatism and small Amsler angle in ophthalmometer test of central waves.

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Photo. 2. Turbidity caused by rupture of  Descemat membrane.

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Photo. 3. Supra -membrane turbidity caused probably by sub epithelial chronic erosion of the cornea.

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Photo. 4. Supra-membrane turbidity caused probably by  sub epithelial chronic erosion of the cornea.

Classification of keratoconus

Classification by Amsler – expanded by Dieter Muckenhirna by the cornea cam.

Degree Amsler’s angle Mid rays Acuity

glasses

Acuity

contact lenses

Transparency Cornea

thickness

Can
1 0-3 >7.5 1.0-0.8 >1 Normalna 0.5 <0.8
2 4-9 7.5-6.5 0.8-0.2 1.0-0.8 Normalna 0.4 0.8-1.0
3 > 9 6.5-5.8 0.2-0.1 0.4-0.8 Lekko zmętniała 0.25 1.2-1.5
4 Nie można zmierzyć <5.8 <0.1 0.2-0.4 Silnie zmętniała <0.2 >1.5

 

Correcting keratoconus

orrection with glasses

It is used in the initial stages of the cone development , where the astigmatism is not  large and regular enough . It is also effective when the cone is located far away from the optical center.
Further development of the disease necessitates contact lenses or surgical procedures.

Soft lenses Correction with toric soft lenses – theoretically possible, but for the high susceptibility   and the tendency to surface projection   of  irregularities, this method usually does not produce  satisfactory results.

Correction with hybrid lenses and duo systems
In  case of highly irregular corneas in  over- sensitive to the presence of a foreign body in the eye or in the case of “weak” corneal epithelium,  recurrent erosions, hybrid   lens can be selected  or so-called . duo-systems (two corrective hard lenses  and soft carrier – protective).

This solution is seemingly ideal, as it combines the convenience of carrying and good optical correction, but often leads to a decrease of mobility of the lens and dangerous cornea hypoxia leading to vascular neoplasia within cornea. This problem is even greater as it  applies to people who are expected  to undergo penetrating kerato-plastics . For these reasons, the solution should be a last resort. Slightly fewer risks have  duo -systems applied temporarily only when we observe periodic intolerance to  hard lens.

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Photo. 5. Vessels entering deeply into  cornea

Correction with  hard lenses is the most popular. Full range of spherical lenses , aspherical -curve , specially designed for the correction of the cone are applied . Initially  flat lens  were fitted so as to squeeze the cone summit . Today there are alternatives in the form of  ClearKone hybryd lenses , which  have a rigid part that protects the corneal epithelium , but due to the soft part of the lens and  tendency to suction , they  have limited application .

Fitting  without touching the top of the cone , which is used for maximum protection of the cone , also cannot be widely applied because of the minimal improvement in visual acuity and too little mobility of the lens with a tendency to aggregate within the top of  product  metabolism  taking place  during hypoxia ( hypoxia ) . That  additionally worsens the condition of  the already  affected cornea.

Contour three-point  fitting  is now the most recommended ,maximally  parallel to keratoconus . It requires the use of a variety of lenses from different manufacturers, often individually modified for a given case. It  is very desirable to  use of  topography of the cornea, which not only speeds up the application of lenses, but allows to select the most suitable geometry of the contact lens .

Surgical correction


Cross-linking, INTACS
Cross-linking (CCL/CXL)
€ 399,00
Cross-linking CUSTOM-FAST
€ 599,00
INTACS
€ 1699,00
INTACS with cross-linking
€ 1959,00

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