KERATOCONUS

Keratoconus is a bulging distortion of the cornea, leading to loss of visual acuity. It is a slowly progressive thinning and bulging of the cornea, usually bilateral usually begins in the pubertal ages.

RISK FACTORS

• Family history of keratoconus
• An atopic disorder
• Vigorous eye rubbing
• Lax eyelids
• Certain connective tissue disorders (eg, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, Marfan syndrome, osteogenesis imperfecta)
• Down syndrome
• Congenital disorders with poor vision (eg, Leber congenital optic neuropathy, retinopathy of prematurity, aniridia)

SYMPTOMS:

In the early stage

• mild blurring of vision
• slightly distorted vision, where straight lines look bent or wavy
• increased sensitivity to light and glare
• eye redness or swelling

In later stages

• more blurry and distorted vision
• increased nearsightednessor astigmatism (when your eye cannot focus as well as it should).
• not being able to wear contact lenses.

Keratoconus usually takes years to go from early- to late-stage. For some people, though, keratoconus can get worse quickly. The cornea can swell suddenly and start to scar. When the cornea has scar tissue, it loses its smoothness and becomes less clear. As a result, vision grows even more distorted and blurry.

DIAGNOSIS:

• Clinical examination of the eye.
• -Keratometry
• -Videokeratography
• -Slit lamp biomicroscopy

COMPLICATIONS:

cornea may swell quickly and cause sudden reduced vision and scarring of the cornea. This is caused by a condition in which the inside lining of your cornea breaks down, allowing fluid to enter the cornea (hydrops).

HOMOEOPATHIC MANAGEMENT:

Euphrasia Officinalis - The eyes water all the time. Acrid lachrymation; bland coryza (Opposite: Cepa). Discharge thick and excoriating (Mercur thin and acrid). Burning and swelling of the lids. Frequent inclination to blink. Free discharge of acrid matter. Sticky mucus on cornea; must wink to remove it. Pressure in eyes. Little blisters on cornea. Opacities.

Pulsatilla Nigricans - Itching and burning in eyes. Profuse lachrymation and secretion of mucus. Lids inflamed, agglutinated. Styes. Veins of fundus oculi greatly enlarged

Physostigma - twitching of ocular muscles. Lagophthalmus. Muscæ volitantes; flashes of light; partial blindness. Glaucoma; paresis of accommodation; astigmatism. Profuse lachrymation. Spasm of ciliary muscles, with irritability after using eyes. Increasing myopia.

Natmur -  Eyelids heavy. Muscles weak and stiff. Letters run together. Sees sparks. Fiery, zigzag appearance around all objects. Burning in eyes. Give out on reading or writing. Stricture of lachrymal duct with suppuration. Escape of muco-pus when pressing upon sac. Lachrymation, burning and acrid. Lids swollen. Eyes appear wet with tears.

Silicea- Aversion to light, especially daylight; it produces dazzling, sharp pain through eyes; eyes tender to touch; worse when closed. Vision confused; letters run together on reading