Genetics

The frequency of keratoconus in first degree relatives having the disease is much higher than the general population. Keratoconus can also be associated with other systemic syndromes such as Down’s syndrome.

The good news is that keratoconus is often not passed to children. If you have or may have children in the future, it’s only a 6% likelihood that any of your children will inherit keratoconus.

It makes sense to have your children have a baseline corneal topography between ages of 8-10 years old and have a topography every year. The subsequent topography maps can be compared to the first one to catch keratoconus early if it will be occurring. Early keratoconus can easily be “nipped in the bud” with a C3-R® treatment before it gets worse.

Quote:

“It seems that both environment and genetics play a role in Keratoconus”

-Says Dr. Brian S. Boxer Wachler, MD.

Free Radicals

All corneas, like any tissues in the body, create harmful byproducts (free radicals) of cell metabolism (metabolism is a fancy word for the activities of the cell required for it to live and do it’s thing). These byproducts are similar to a car’s exhaust that results from the car being driven. Normal corneas, like any other body tissue, have a defense system in place to neutralize the free radicals so they don’t damage the collagen.

The collagen is the equivalent of steel beams that support a building. Damage to those beams causes the building to tilt, just like damage to the collagen causes the cornea to bulge. Think of those free radicals as attacking your collagen fibers in the cornea, trying to thin it and weaken it.

The problem with keratoconus is that anti-free radical system in the cornea (called anti-oxidants) are not properly working, so the free radicals are allowed to overwhelm and wreak havoc on the collagen fibers. They bombard the cornea like mortar fire blasting into a brick wall. The free radicals damage the cornea, thin it, and ultimately allow it to bulge and steepen out. This is how your vision got worse from keratoconus.

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Corneal Transplants are some of the most common transplants in the United States. There are annually over 40,000 transplants being preformed around the US. Over 90% of all transplants done are successful and after the procedure sight is restored. Corneal Transplants are known as Keratoplasty. There are many reasons why one would need a corneal transplant below are a few common ones:

• Keratoconus

• Fuchs Dystrophy

These can cause cloudiness in the cornea and it often alters the natural curvature of the cornea. They also reduce the quality of vision in the patient. Additionally these are a few other things to add to the need for corneal transplants:

•  Trauma

• Chemical Burns

• Bacteria

• Fungi and Protozoa

Many times use of local anesthesia is used. With local anesthesia the patient is numb around the area of the procedure however they are still away. Additionally one could also use general anesthesia and be unconscious during the procedure. Consult with your eye doctor to determine which way is best for you.

It is also very important that you speak with your physician on the risks of the corneal implant as well as the benefits. Many times if we hear enough good things and not the bad things we can convince ourselves that the procedure is right. However the decisions should be made only after knowing all the options and risks involved with the corneal implants. A few of the risks are:

•  Infections

• Cataract Formation

• Glaucoma

• Retinal detachment

• Rejection and need for another transplant

In rejection of the corneal transplants the immune systems fights off the donor tissue. Approximately 30% of corneal transplants result in rejections. Here are a few of the symptoms to look for after a corneal transplant to show the body maybe rejecting it:

•  Sensitivity to light

• Redness in eyes

• Change in vision

• Persistent or constant discomfort in the eyes

You should check with your eye doctor if you are having any of these symptoms or have any questions proceeding your corneal transplant. In the end the average corneal transplant is successful and a better quality of life is experienced because of it!