Corneal ectatic disorders

Corneal ectatic disorders are a group of eye diseases that involve abnormal thinning and bulging of the cornea, the clear front surface of the eye. These disorders can lead to significant visual impairment and are a common reason for corneal transplant surgery.

Types of Corneal Ectatic Disorders

There are several types of corneal ectatic disorders, including:

• Keratoconus: This is the most common type of corneal ectatic disorder. It typically begins in adolescence or early adulthood and progresses over a period of 10 to 20 years. The cornea gradually thins and bulges outward in a cone shape, leading to distorted and blurred vision.

• Pellucid marginal degeneration: This is a rare form of corneal ectatic disorder that typically begins in middle age. It involves thinning and bulging of the lower part of the cornea, leading to high levels of astigmatism and poor vision.

• Keratoglobus: This is a very rare form of corneal ectatic disorder that is present at birth. The entire cornea is thin and bulges outward in a globular shape, leading to severe visual impairment.

• Post-LASIK ectasia: This is a rare complication of LASIK eye surgery. It involves progressive thinning and bulging of the cornea after surgery, leading to worsening vision.

Symptoms

The symptoms of corneal ectatic disorders depend on the type and severity of the disorder, but may include:

• Blurred or distorted vision
• Increased sensitivity to light
• Difficulty seeing at night
• Sudden worsening or clouding of vision

Diagnosis

Corneal ectatic disorders are diagnosed through a comprehensive eye examination. This may include:

• Slit lamp examination: This involves using a special microscope to examine the front part of the eye, including the cornea.
• Corneal topography: This is a computerized test that creates a detailed map of the curvature of the cornea.
• Pachymetry: This is a test that measures the thickness of the cornea.

Treatment

The treatment of corneal ectatic disorders depends on the type and severity of the disorder, but may include:

• Eyeglasses or contact lenses: These can correct the vision problems caused by mild to moderate corneal ectasia.
• Corneal collagen cross-linking: This is a treatment that strengthens the cornea and can slow or stop the progression of corneal ectatic disorders.
• Corneal transplant surgery: This is a surgical procedure that replaces the diseased cornea with a healthy donor cornea.

See also

• Cornea
• Eye diseases
• Visual impairment
• Corneal transplant