2. People affected are…
• Begins in the teenage
years, but can start in
childhood
• The change in shape
occurs slowly
• It does not distinguish
between race or sex, it
has the ability to affect
anyone
3. Symptoms and Signs
Sudden change of vision in one eye
Double vision when looking with one eye
Objects both near and far look distorted
Bright lights look like they have halos around them
Eye Strain
Irritation
Excessive eye rubbing
This change can stop at any time or continue for
several years
4. Causes
Often causes are unknown
Sometimes caused by genetics
Happens in people with certain
medical problems including
allergic conditions
Other theories point to
hormonal factors or factors of
stress
Most often no injury or disease
can explain the change of shape
5. Treatments
Corneal inserts: places inserts with the corneal
stroma in the periphery of the cornea. Result is a
flatter cornea and clearer vision.
Corneal Collage Crosslinking with Riboflavin:
increases collagen crosslinking within the cornea
Cornea transplant (Penetrating keratoplasty) A
donor cornea will replace the thinning cornea and
can often provide stable vision
6. Keratometer
• The keratometer is an ophthalmic
instrument used in ophthalmology and
optometry to measure the curvature and
reflection of the anterior surface of the
cornea.
• It uses optical sensors and computerized
technology to measure comparisons and
contrasts of the cornea against a
predetermined value.
• It measures the cornea at different
meridians and helps determine a proper
corrective prescription, the degree of
correction, and whether concave or
convex lenses are required to restore
vision to an acceptable level.
7. Citations
National Keratoconus Foundation. (2012) What
causes Keratoconus? Retrieved from:
http://www.nkcf.org/en/about-keratoconus/what-
causes-kc.html
