CERATOCONUS Meaning and
Definition
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Ceratoconus is a progressive eye condition characterized by the thinning and bulging of the cornea, which is the clear, dome-shaped outer layer that covers the front of the eye. This abnormal curvature of the cornea causes it to assume a conical shape, leading to distorted vision and other visual abnormalities.
Individuals affected by ceratoconus often experience symptoms such as blurry or distorted vision, increased sensitivity to light, frequent changes in prescription for glasses or contact lenses, and difficulties with night vision. The exact cause of ceratoconus remains unknown, although it is believed to result from a combination of genetic and environmental factors.
Diagnosis of ceratoconus typically involves a comprehensive eye examination, including a detailed medical history, visual acuity tests, corneal scanning, and mapping of the corneal curvature. Advanced imaging techniques such as corneal topography and tomography may be utilized to precisely measure and analyze the cornea's shape and thickness.
While there is no cure for ceratoconus, various treatment options are available to manage the condition and improve visual function. In the early stages, eyeglasses or soft contact lenses may be sufficient to correct the refractive errors caused by the corneal irregularity. As the condition progresses, specialized contact lenses, such as rigid gas-permeable lenses or scleral lenses, are often prescribed to provide better vision and improve corneal stability. In severe cases where contact lenses are not effective, surgical interventions like corneal cross-linking, intrastromal corneal ring segments, or even corneal transplantation may be considered.
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Conical cornea, a cone-shaped bulging of the cornea, staphyloma corneae.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for CERATOCONUS
- xeratoconus
- veratoconus
- feratoconus
- deratoconus
- cwratoconus
- csratoconus
- cdratoconus
- crratoconus
- c4ratoconus
- c3ratoconus
- ceeatoconus
- cedatoconus
- cefatoconus
- cetatoconus
- ce5atoconus
- ce4atoconus
- cerztoconus
- cerstoconus
- cerwtoconus
- cerqtoconus
Etymology of CERATOCONUS
The word "keratoconus" is derived from two Greek roots: "kerato" (κερατο), meaning "horn-like" or "cornea", and "konos" (κῶνος), meaning "cone". These roots describe the condition itself, which is characterized by a progressive thinning and bulging of the cornea into a cone shape.
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