SCRATCHING AND RUBBING THE EYES CAUSES KERATOCONUS

The transparent layer of the eye causes keratoconus disease, which is manifested by thinning and sharpening of the cornea, scratching, rubbing and hard pressure on the eyes. Avoiding such behaviors, which lead to the early onset and progression of the disease, is enough to prevent serious vision problems that progress to corneal transplantation in the future.

The disease is often found in hot and dusty countries like Turkey.

Keratoconus is known as a disease characterized by thinning and sharpening of the transparent layer of the eye, the cornea, along with progressive myopia and astigmatism. In general, the patient becomes aware of the disease that started in adulthood only at the age of 20. It progresses further between the ages of 20–40, and keratoconus, which undergoes a static cycle after the age of 40, can lead to serious vision problems such as corneal transplantation if left untreated. Dünyagöz Eye disease specialist Op. Dr. Efekan Coshkunseven reported the following information about "keratoconus", characterized by forward bulging and sharpening of the cornea:

"There are many known causes of keratoconus, which is also known as a deformity of the cornea, but allergic eye problems, where the eye is often rubbed, can also prepare the ground for the disease. Unfortunately, this disease is more common in hot and dusty countries like Turkey, where childhood allergic conjunctivitis is often observed. Genetic predisposition also plays a role. If there is a keratoconus patient in the family, special attention should be paid, because the genetic factor plays an important role in keratoconus. Environmental factors such as itchy eyes and use of hard contact lenses can also lead to the progression of this disease in genetically compatible individuals. Sometimes, it can be diagnosed as a result of private studies applied to patients who do not have any complaints, but just want to treat myopia and astigmatism by laser. To protect yourself from keratoconus, do not rub or scratch your eyes and be sure to have a general eye examination every year."

Spread in Mediterranean countries

Noting that the disease was found in one person out of 2,000, Dr. Efekan Coşkunseven, stating that this ratio is higher in countries where heat and allergies spread like Turkey, listed certain characteristics of keratoconus as follows:

"Keratoconus is more common especially in regions along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. In the initial stage, keratoconus does not have a negative effect on vision. Patients with keratoconus initially have impaired contrast sensitivity. Complaints arise, such as seeing every color at the same intensity. Especially night vision problems may arise. As keratoconus progresses, many patients notice that they can't clearly see distant objects while driving, and they can't see subtitles while watching TV. Sometimes patients note that when they touch and press on the eyelids or pull the eyelids to the side, their vision improves and they can see more clearly. In fact, this is seen in most cases of progressive keratoconus. However, this is a temporary fix. It is impossible to continue seeing in this form.

Depending on the progression of keratoconus, patients' visual abilities are lost to a great extent. It means loss of 95% of vision. It becomes increasingly impossible for patients to see one or two meters away. This is not blindness in the sense that many people perceive it, but it is a level of progressive reduction of vision. People at risk should never scratch their eyes during the control process. Due to the genetic basis of the disease, due to the corresponding structural changes related to the cornea, scratching, rubbing, and pressing the eyes can lead to the progression and early onset of the disease. Therefore, people and patients in this risk group are advised not to rub and scratch their eyes," he said.

It is possible to eliminate keratoconus

Op. stating that the cross-linking method, also known as CCL (Corneal Cross Linking), is used to eliminate the progression of keratoconus today. Dr. Efekan Coshkunseven said the following about the treatment details:

"To be able to apply this method to a patient, the thickness of the cornea should not be less than 400 microns. Thus, we can decide whether the patient is suitable for this method after corneal thickness and topographic studies. The critical point is the early diagnosis of the disease and its subsequent treatment. In keratoconus, early diagnosis is important in preventing and controlling disease progressing to corneal transplantation. Dünyagöz is a center that applied the CCL method for the first time in Turkey from 2006 until today and has more than 1500 patient experiences so far.

Methods to increase vision

Noting that 4 different methods have been discovered to improve the vision of a patient with keratoconus, namely contact lens, ring method, topographic laser treatment and intraocular contact lens, Joshkunseven said about these methods:

Contact lens: Currently in use around the world