According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, Keratoconus is an eye disease that affects the structure of the cornea, resulting in loss of vision. Typically beginning in puberty and progressing into the mid-30s, keratoconus affects approximately one in 2,000 individuals.
Because the definite cause of keratoconus is unknown, it’s a tricky disease and remains poorly understood. Continue reading to learn more about what it is, risk factors and certain treatment options.
What is Keratoconus?
Keratoconus is a disease that affects the cornea, and is believed to be a result of the loss of collage in the cornea.This loss could be motivated by a sort of imbalance between the creation and destruction of corneal tissue by corneal cells. Despite this information, the cause of keratoconus is unknown.
Risk Factors for Keratoconus: What You Need to Know
The number #1 risk factor for developing keratoconus is genetic predisposition. That is why it’s critical to properly understand your family’s medical history, so you can flag these risk factors to your eye doctor when it’s time to examine your eyes. Beyond genetic predisposition, risk factors include:
- Chronic eye inflammation caused by irritants in the environment can contribute to the aforementioned imbalance related to corneal tissue.
- Chronic eye rubbing is associated with developing keratoconus and could also be a risk factor for disease progression.
- Younger age has been linked with keratoconus, with the disease often discovered in the teenage years.
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Works Cited
“Keratoconus.” Johns Hopkins Medicine, n.d., https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/keratoconus. Accessed 22 June 2022.