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Keratoconus: Current and Future State of the Art

Gerald Parker

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Keratoconus is a progressive eye condition that can lead to significant vision loss. It is characterized by the thinning and bulging of the cornea, the clear outer layer of the eye. Keratoconus typically affects both eyes and can lead to a variety of symptoms, including:

Keratoconus: Current and Future State-of-the-Art

by Kjell Brataas

4.5 out of 5

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* Blurred vision * Double vision * Distorted vision * Glare and halos around lights * Eye pain and discomfort

Keratoconus is a relatively rare condition, affecting about 1 in 2,000 people. It is usually diagnosed in the teenage years or early adulthood, and it can progress over time. There is no cure for keratoconus, but treatment can help to slow the progression of the condition and improve vision.

Current State of the Art in Keratoconus Management

There are a number of different treatment options available for keratoconus, depending on the severity of the condition. These options include:

* Eyeglasses or contact lenses: Eyeglasses or contact lenses can help to correct the refractive errors caused by keratoconus and improve vision. * Corneal cross-linking: Corneal cross-linking is a procedure that uses ultraviolet light and a photosensitizing agent to strengthen the cornea and slow the progression of keratoconus. * Intracorneal ring segments: Intracorneal ring segments are small, plastic rings that are surgically implanted into the cornea to help reshape it and improve vision. * Corneal transplant: A corneal transplant is a procedure in which the damaged cornea is replaced with a healthy donor cornea.

Future Directions in Keratoconus Management

There are a number of promising new treatments for keratoconus that are currently being developed. These treatments include:

* Gene therapy: Gene therapy is a treatment that uses genetic material to correct the genetic defects that cause keratoconus. * Stem cell therapy: Stem cell therapy is a treatment that uses stem cells to repair or replace damaged cells in the cornea. * Bioengineered corneas: Bioengineered corneas are corneas that are grown in the laboratory using stem cells.

These treatments have the potential to revolutionize the treatment of keratoconus and offer new hope to patients with this condition.

Keratoconus is a serious eye condition that can lead to significant vision loss. However, there are a number of effective treatment options available, and new treatments are being developed all the time. With proper treatment, most patients with keratoconus can achieve good vision and maintain their quality of life.

Keratoconus: Current and Future State-of-the-Art

by Kjell Brataas

4.5 out of 5