Keratoconushub: KERATOCONUS CAUSES

As we know Keratoconus is a degenerative eye disorder that may cause significant vision loss with time. The truth behind keratoconus causes is still under research.But some possible keratoconus causes are- genetics, excessive eye rubbing, allergies which further lead to rubbing of eyes, poor fitting of contact lenses, free radicals damage and hormonal causes etc. These causes will be discussed below:

· Genetics: Some studies suggest that genetics can be a factor behind the keratoconus. As keratoconus has been found running in some families. Some identical twins have been reported to suffer from keratoconus.

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It has been observed that there are higher chances of occurrence of this corneal disease in close families in comparison to a general population.

But genetics cannot be considered as an important factor behind keratoconus, since in majority of cases family having a person affected with keratoconus, had members having no history of keratoconus.

· Free radicals damage: This is an important factor found responsible for keratoconus. Our cornea has protein fibres having function of keeping the structure of cornea intact so not letting it bulge outwards. These protein fibres are called as collagen. The cornea produces some harmful by-products in cell metabolism process like other tissues of the body known as free- radicals. Weakening of the collagen due to the action of free-radicals causes the cornea to become thin and bulge outward in conical shape. This eye condition is called as keratoconus. It has been found that keratoconic corneas have comparatively more active proteases (enzymes which help in catalysis of the proteins splitting into smaller peptide fractions and amino acids).

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Proteases cause the breaking of some collagen cross-linkages present in the stroma (supporting tissue). According to some researches, reduced activity of an enzyme known as Aldehyde dehydrogenase may also be the reason behind increased number of free radicals.
Hence free-radicals are responsible for this corneal disease causing thinning of the cornea. Since the cornea of a keratoconic patient lacks the ability to self-repair the damage caused by the action of free radicals, because of the lack of protective antioxidants in the cornea. This results in weak self-repairing system of the cornea.

· Excessive eye rubbing: Vigorous and excessive eye rubbing also has been reported as a possible cause of worsening of the keratoconus and in some cases also the cause behind it.

· Allergies: In many cases persons having allergies which further lead to eye rubbing may develop keratoconus. Vigorous eye rubbing also worsens the keratoconus.

· Poor fitting of contact lenses: Improper fitting of contact lenses can also be a cause of keratoconus, since improper fitting causes rubbing of the contact lens against the irregular and cone shaped cornea.

· Hormonal causes: One more keratoconus cause that has not been proved is the hormonal cause. As the keratoconus is most often diagnosed at puberty and it has been observes that it itself halts in most of the cases in the person’s thirties.Thus keratoconus is a self limiting disease after a certain age.

Did you know?

Keratoconus is found more frequently in people with Down’s syndrome (a congenital disorder causing mental retardation and flat face).Although the associated reason is not clear.

Asthma (a respiratory disorder), Alport syndrome (a rare genetic disorder of children that may lead to kidney diseases and hearing loss), Marfan syndrome (a genetic disorder of connective tissues) were also found to be associated with keratoconus.

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KERATOCONUS CAUSES

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