KERATOCONUS (CORNEAL DISEASE)
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Clinical presentation and development
Keratoconus is a progressive eye disease in which the normally round, dome-shaped cornea of the eye gradually becomes thinner and bulges outward into a cone shape.
The irregular shape causes blurred vision, light sensitivity, halos, and double vision. The disease usually develops slowly, typically over the course of years.
Processes contributing to keratoconus development. Source: Böhm EW, Buonfiglio F, Voigt AM, Bachmann P, Safi T, Pfeiffer N, Gericke A. Redox Biol. 2023 Dec;68:102967. CC BY-NC-ND license https://doi.org/10.1016/j.redox.2023.102967
Keratoconus usually affects both eyes, although in many cases one eye is more severely affected. With early diagnosis, the condition can be well controlled by treatment. Without treatment, however, it can lead to severe visual impairment.
The causes and risk factors are not yet fully understood. It is assumed to be a combination of genetic and environmental factors, as the condition tends to run in families and often affects people with allergies and frequent eye rubbing. It has been shown that inflammatory processes and oxidative stress play a crucial role in the development of keratoconus. These processes are illustrated schematically in the figure.