SIGNS & SYMPTOMS
The first indication of KC to the patient is a
blurring and distortion of vision that in the early
stages may be corrected with glasses that require
frequent changes in their astigmatism correction.
The continued thinning of the cornea usually progresses
slowly for 5 to 10 years and then tends to stop.
Occasionally, it is rapidly progressive and, in the
advanced stage, the patient may experience a sudden
clouding of vision in one eye
that clears over a period of weeks or months. This
is called "acute hydrops" and
is due to the sudden infusion of fluid into the stretched cornea. In advanced
cases superficial scars form at the apex of the corneal bulge resulting in
more vision impairment.
"Corneal transplants are
needed in only about 10% of cases"
|
