Symptoms and Signs
Patients with Keratoconus often present with gradual progressive blurring of vision. They also complain of distortion of images, ghost images, glare, or diplopia. The patient may report frequent changes of spectacle or decreased tolerance to contact lens. As the cornea becomes more irregular and steep the patient develops progressive nearsightedness and irregular astigmatism.
In advanced cases, the patient may present with sudden loss of vision due to corneal edema (swelling).
On examination, the doctor finds corneal thinning in the central or paracentral area and protrusion. Keratometry shows steepening of the cornea. Keratometry is a test done to demonstrate corneal curvature.
On retinoscopy, eyes with Keratoconus exhibit a scissor reflex action of two bands moving toward and away from each other like the blades of a pair of scissors, which is almost diagnostic of the condition.
