When the family gathers for the holidays, health news gets shared around the table. If you have keratoconus, that conversation is a chance to help a younger cousin, niece or nephew. Keratoconus often starts in the teen years and is easier to manage when it is found early.
A quick refresher
Keratoconus is a condition in which the cornea, the clear front window of the eye, gradually thins and bulges into a cone shape, distorting vision. EyeWiki, the American Academy of Ophthalmology’s clinical encyclopedia, notes that it is often reported in about 1 in 700 people, and that rates are considerably higher in some regions, including the Middle East, India and China.
Does it run in families?
The honest answer is: sometimes. EyeWiki describes both inherited and environmental factors. The hereditary pattern is neither prominent nor predictable, but positive family histories have been reported, and family history is on its list of risk factors. That means a relative of someone with keratoconus is not destined to get it, but deserves a careful look.
Other risk factors worth mentioning
- Frequent, hard eye rubbing
- Allergies, eczema and asthma (atopy)
- Down syndrome and certain connective tissue disorders
- Floppy eyelid syndrome
EyeWiki notes that eye rubbing and repeated trauma in genetically predisposed people can contribute to keratoconus and its progression. If a young relative constantly rubs itchy eyes, treating the allergy and breaking the habit are worthwhile on their own.
When relatives should be examined
Onset is typically in early adolescence, with progression into the mid-20s and 30s, though it can begin earlier or later. EyeWiki adds that children may have more advanced disease at diagnosis and faster progression. Warning signs include:
- Frequent changes in glasses prescription, especially rising astigmatism
- Glasses that never seem to give crisp vision
- Ghosting, smearing or halos around lights
A cornea specialist can measure the shape of the cornea with imaging that detects early changes before they are obvious on a standard exam.
Itchy, rubbed eyes often go along with eyelid irritation; this eyelid and eye surface blog covers several common eyelid conditions.
Sharing your diagnosis may feel personal, but for a teenager in your family, it could be the most useful thing said at the table this year.
Source: Keratoconus (EyeWiki, American Academy of Ophthalmology). This article is an educational summary written by Khanna Vision Institute and is not a substitute for medical advice.
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