| By Saif Albadry Keratoconus in children progresses more rapidly and is usually more severe at the time diagnosis. Hence, prompt management to halt the progression of the disease and enhance visual performance is crucial. There is limited evidence regarding the prevalence of Keratoconus (KC) in children. The variability of prevalence of pediatric KC may be due to environmental factors and genetic influence. Keratoconus (ker-uh-toe-KOH-nus) is a type of a disease which occurs when your cornea, the clear, dome-shaped surface in the front of your eyes-thins and gradually bulges outward into a cone shape. This disorder leads to progressive thinning of the cornea, which may result in many symptoms. Some symptoms include blurry vision, double vision, nearsightedness, irregular astigmatism and light sensitivity which leads to a poor quality of life. Usually both the eyes are affected. In more severe cases, a scarring or a circle may be seen within the cornea. A multifactorial etiology has been proposed, although the exact pathogenesis is unclear. This disorder is usually first diagnosed in young people at puberty or in the late teens. Children who develop keratoconus tend to start the corneal ectasia process at an early age, with faster progression compared to adult patients. Keratoconus in children can be caused by many factors. Though one of the major factor, is the rubbing of the eyes. This condition is more commonly found in children who rub their eyes frequently. The dryness causes more itching, which in turn only worsens the condition. Another important factor may be eczema. Children suffering from an allergy may be at risk of suffering from this disease. For parents, any disease or condition affecting their children can be a cause of alarm and panic. If you suspect that your child may be suffering from this disease, it is best that you equip yourself with essential information about this condition. Throughout my career, I have dealt with a lot of cases of keractoconus in children. For the safety and good health of the children’s eyes, my advice to the parent is to start of regular visits to the eye care centres. To prevent any kind of eye disease, a healthy lifestyle is a must. |
