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Complications

By Mayo Clinic staff

In some situations, your cornea may swell quickly and cause sudden reduced vision and scarring of the cornea.

In advanced keratoconus, your cornea may become scarred, particularly where the cone forms. A scarred cornea causes worsening vision problems and may require corneal transplant surgery.

The effect of ongoing vision problems on your daily life also can lead to anxiety. However, finding ways to adapt to your condition can lessen anxiety.

Preparing for your appointment Risk factors
References
  1. Keratoconus. American Optometric Association. http://www.aoa.org/keratoconus.xml. Accessed Nov. 15, 2012.
  2. What is the cornea? National Eye Institute. http://www.nei.nih.gov/health/cornealdisease/. Accessed Nov. 15, 2012.
  3. Keratoconus. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/eye_disorders/corneal_disorders/keratoconus.html?qt=keratoconus&alt=sh. Accessed Nov. 15, 2012.
  4. Yanoff M, ed., et al. Ophthalmology. 3rd ed. Edinburgh, U.K.: Mosby Elsevier; 2009. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/212799885-2/0/1869/0.html. Accessed Nov. 15, 2012.
  5. Riordan-Eva P, et al. Vaughan & Asbury's General Ophthalmology. 18th ed. New York, N.Y.: The McGraw-Hill Companies; 2011. http://www.accessmedicine.com/resourceTOC.aspx?resourceID=720. Accessed Nov. 15, 2012.
  6. Keratoconus symptoms. American Academy of Ophthalmology. http://www.geteyesmart.org/eyesmart/diseases/keratoconus-symptoms.cfm. Accessed Nov. 21, 2012.
  7. Bower KS. Laser refractive surgery. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed Nov. 21, 2012.
  8. Romero-Jimenez M, et al. Keratoconus: A review. Contact Lens & Anterior Eye. 2010;33:157.
  9. Keratoconus treatment. American Academy of Ophthalmology. http://www.geteyesmart.org/eyesmart/diseases/keratoconus-treatment.cfm. Accessed Nov. 21, 2012.
  10. What causes keratoconus? American Academy of Ophthalmology. http://www.geteyesmart.org/eyesmart/diseases/keratoconus-cause.cfm. Accessed Nov. 26, 2012.
  11. Kymes SM, et al. Changes in the quality-of-life of people with keratoconus. American Journal of Ophthalmology. 2008;145:611.
  12. Keratoconus diagnosis. American Academy of Ophthalmology. www.geteyesmart.org/eyesmart/diseases/keratoconus-diagnosis.cfm. Accessed Nov. 21, 2012.
  13. Comprehensive eye and vision examination. American Optometric Association. http://www.aoa.org/x4725.xml. Accessed Nov. 15, 2012.
  14. Li Y, et al. Corneal epithelial thickness mapping by Fourier-domain optical coherence tomography in normal and keratoconic eyes. Ophthalmology. 2011;30:1510.
  15. Barnett M, et al. Contact lenses in the management of keratoconus. Cornea. 2011;30:1510.
  16. Schornack MM, et al. Scleral lenses in the management of keratoconus. Eye & Contact Lens. 2010;36:39.
  17. Jhanji V, et al. Management of keratoconus: Current scenario. The British Journal of Ophthalmology. 2011;95:1044.
  18. Evaluation of the ophthalmologic patient. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/eye_disorders/approach_to_the_ophthalmologic_patient/evaluation_of_the_ophthalmologic_patient.html?qt=slit%20lamp&alt=sh#v1152031. Accessed Nov. 28, 2012.
  19. Sugar J, et al. What causes keratonconus? Cornea. 2012;31:716.
  20. Robertson DM (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Dec. 21, 2012.
  21. Keratoconus. American Optometric Association. http://www.aoa.org/keratoconus.xml. Accessed Nov. 15, 2012.
  22. What is the cornea? National Eye Institute. http://www.nei.nih.gov/health/cornealdisease/. Accessed Nov. 15, 2012.
  23. Keratoconus. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/eye_disorders/corneal_disorders/keratoconus.html?qt=keratoconus&alt=sh. Accessed Nov. 15, 2012.
  24. Comprehensive eye and vision examination. American Optometric Association. http://www.aoa.org/eye-exams.xml. Accessed Nov. 15, 2012.
  25. Yanoff M, ed., et al. Ophthalmology. 3rd ed. Edinburgh, U.K.: Mosby Elsevier; 2009. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/212799885-2/0/1869/0.html. Accessed Nov. 15, 2012.
  26. Keratoconus diagnosis. American Academy of Ophthalmology. http://www.geteyesmart.org/eyesmart/diseases/keratoconus-diagnosis.cfm. Accessed Nov. 21, 2012.
  27. Romero-Jimenez M, et al. Keratoconus: A review. Contact Lens & Anterior Eye. 2010;33:157.
  28. Barnett M, et al. Contact lenses in the management of keratoconus. Cornea. 2011;30:1510.
DS01116 Feb. 20, 2013

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