This is an abnormality of the cornea (the front transparent part of the eye), where it gradually looses its spherical shape and takes up a conical shape. It is estimated to occur 1 in 2000 people in the general population although in Cyprus could be reaching 1 in 500. It is usually diagnosed at puberty or in late teens. The condition may progress until the age of 30-40 where it stabilizes.

It is characterized by steepening, thinning and scarring of the central cornea. This causes distortion of vision in the form of myopia and irregular astigmatism:

Steepening	Topography of Keratoconus

In the early stages of the condition, vision can be corrected with spectacles, soft contact lenses or rigid gas permeable lenses (RGP lenses).

As the condition progresses spectacles and soft contact lenses give inadequate vision. Only RGP lenses will provide satisfactory vision.

Quite often keratoconic patients are sensitive and have poor tolerance to RGP lenses. We have a wide range of lenses to provide the patient with a modality that will achieve good vision and comfort without compromising corneal health.

Pellucid Marginal Degeneration

It is a degenerative corneal condition quite often confused with keratoconus. The center of the cornea shows normal thickness but the inferior cornea exhibits a peripheral band of thinning. The ectasia or protrusion is usually found quite low and above the thinner part of the cornea.

Keratoglobus

It is a degenative condition of the cornea much rarer than keratoconus where the cornea thins and takes up a more globular (rounder) shape. Similar to keratoconus it is typically diagnosed in the patient's adolescent years and attains its most severe state in the twenties and thirties.