Keratoglobus

Keratoglobus is a congenital spherical bulging and thinning of the cornea ( cornea of the eye). It usually occurs on both sides and is pronounced differently. Unlike a keratoconus in which only the central portion of the cornea may be involved in a Keratoglobus also edge areas of the cornea are damaged. It could result in water accumulation in the anterior chamber. The cornea is too large ( megalocornea Ø > 13 mm up to 18 mm), it is usually still a strong myopia. For a long time the Keratoglobus was not distinguished from the Megakornea and the Hydrophthalmus. If the intraocular pressure is increased inherited, it comes in rare cases, partial gigantism.

Affected

Keratoglobus occurs sporadically and can be caused for example by a collagen disease. It can happen that is emerging from a keratoconus in the later course of the disease a Keratoglobus. There are significantly less affected than patients of Keratoglobus of keratoconus. Gender Specifically, there is no difference in its occurrence.

Course

The disease begins in childhood, through tears in the cornea, there may be a clouding of the cornea like keratoconus. By nearsightedness (myopia) and astigmatism (astigmatism ) leads to a deterioration of visual acuity (visual acuity ). There may be an acute Keratoglobus when the corneal endothelium and on the Descemetscher membrane is injured. As an acute keratoconus can heal an acute Keratoglobus spontaneously. Often patients go but already to an ophthalmologist, because of serious visual impairment.

Treatment

The refractive error can not be compensated with the help of spectacles. However, a contact lens fitting designed to be difficult, since the whole area is affected. In a penetrating keratoplasty ( corneal transplant ), it is much more difficult to transplant a suitable graft. It should, therefore, a lamellar keratoplasty may be considered.