Keratoconus is an eye disease that manifests as progressive thinning and steepening of the cornea. While there is no singular cause for keratoconus, both genetic and environmental factors have been proposed to influence the onset and progression. This review aims to explore the pathogenesis, identification, classification, and treatment of this corneal disease. Since early detection is essential in treatment success, various imaging methods have been developed to analyze multiple aspects of the corneal surface. Keratoconus can be identified with a reflection based system, elevation based system, as well as a combination of the two. Once diagnosed, the Belin ABCD classification can be used to monitor the stage of keratoconus and treat it accordingly. Current treatment options prioritize halting disease progression with corneal crosslinking before considering visual rehabilitation. Individuals with mild keratoconus can improve vision with non-surgical options such as spectacles and contact lenses. As the disease progresses, patients may need surgical intervention such as intrastromal corneal ring segments or photorefractive keratectomy (PRK). In advanced keratoconus cases, the cornea may need to be replaced with partial or full-thickness keratoplasty. The goal of this review is to evaluate the more current treatment options that have become available today.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:bu.edu/oai:open.bu.edu:2144/45540 |
| Date | 30 January 2023 |
| Creators | Chen, Constance |
| Contributors | McKnight, C. James |
| Source Sets | Boston University |
| Language | en_US |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis/Dissertation |
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