Does anyone know more about keratoconus? Is it hereditary?
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Hi,
Most of us might have experienced one or the other eye issues. Recently my husband was diagnosed with keratoconus. He had mild blurring of vision. But, we didn't care about it at the beginning. But, later we observed some kind of swelling in his eyes. When consulted an ophthalmologist, he suggested undergoing Keratoconus Surgery.
They said there is an increased chance of keratoconus if you have a family history of keratoconus. I'm worried about my child, he also has slight vision issues. Does anyone know more about this? Is it hereditary? Share your insights.
Thanks!
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Boertjie zachary22850
Posted
Hello, I have a very severe case of keratoconus (KC) since the age of 10. So naturally I've read up quite a lot about it in addition to asking the doctor lots of questions.
From what I've read, no one really knows exactly how and why KC develops. KC is associated with connective tissue disorders of varying severity, so there may be a hereditary component in some cases. But a KC-family history doesn't mean your son will definitely get it.
I'd suggest you let the ophthalmologist examine him annually or bi-annually. Be on the lookout for worsening vision. If KC is diagnosed at some stage, the doc will probably bring up corneal collagen cross linking (CXL). Its a surgical procedure that can halt the progression of KC before it becomes severe. If the doc wants to do CXL, don't delay. Advanced KC is difficult to manage and ultimately the only option is a corneal transplant, which may or may not have good visual outcomes.
In the meantime make sure that your son and husband NEVER EVER rub their eyes. EVER! Eye-rubbing can trigger or worsen KC, especially if the cornea is weak and stretchy to begin with. Also make sure eye-allergies are kept in check, because they increase the urge for eye-rubbing.