There are many celebrities who have suffered from the Keratoconus. Point guard for the Golden State Warriors, Steph Curry, well-knownTV host from the UK, Michaela Strachan, NBA All-Star, Jerry Stackhouse, Veteran actor Bill Cosby, and many others have had difficulty with their eyesight, and some diagnosed with Keratoconus. Keratoconus is a condition in which the clear tissue on the front of the eye, or cornea bulges outward. It is when the clear, dome-shaped tissue that covers the eye thins and bulges outward into a cone shape. Changingt he shape of the cornea brings light rays out of focus. As a result, your vision gets blurry and distorted, making daily tasks like reading or driving a challenge.
ACTOR OPENS UP ABOUT WITH BATTLE WITH KERATOCONUS
Award-winning actor and theatre Dramatic Arts graduate Tony Bonani Miyambo recently opened up about the few things that Keratoconus and loss of sight have taught him. "Pee sitting down, there's nothing worse than tracking droplets when you can't see,' he says. "The darkness can be your friend, load-shedding, or not life goes on. Losing sight can be frustrating," Tony says, "Tears are hard but they also comfort the eyes. There's so much more to take in beyond what you see. Respect stairs they can pull you to the ground as fast as they are meant to elevate you.' He adds that asking for help has not been easy. " I struggle with this one. Appreciate every little thing that life shows you, it's not by chance. I love my print pants, the colours comfort me, I might not see detail but I see colour. Float and let life's current carry you.'
WHAT CAUSES KERATOCONUS
Doctors have not been able to pin down why people have Keratoconus. In some cases, it appears to be genetic (passed down in families). It is estimated that about one out of 10 people with keratoconus have a parent who has it too. However, it is also associated with excessive eye-rubbing, eye allergies, and connective tissue disorders.
SYMPTOMS OF KERATOCONUS
Symptoms first appear during puberty or the late teens and early twenties and include blurred vision and sensitivity to light and glare.The vision symptoms slowly get worse over a period of about 10 to 20 years. It usually affects both eyes and can lead to very different vision between the two eyes. Symptoms can differ in each eye, and they can change over time. In the early stages, the symptoms can include mild blurring vision, slight distortion in vision where straight lines look bent or wavy, and eye redness or swelling.In later stages, keratoconus symptoms often include more blurry and distorted vision, and increased near-sightedness or astigmatism, when your eye cannot focus as well as it should). As a result, you may need new eyeglass prescriptions often and may not be able to wear contact lenses.
TREATING KERATOCONUS
Vision can be corrected with glasses or contact lenses early on. Advanced cases may require a cornea transplant. As there is no sure reason for what the causes may be, there is no cure for keratoconus, however, it can be managed effectively with treatment, depending on its severity. There are several treatments available to help effectively manage keratoconus. Soft lenses are ideal for correcting blurry or distorted vision in the early stages of keratoconus. Rigid gas permeable lenses come from a firmer material. They are ideal for more advanced keratoconus. The material may feel uncomfortable at first but adjust with time. Hybrid contact lenses have a rigid gas-permeable centre and a softer surrounding lens. They can be more comfortable to wear than rigid gas-permeable lenses. Scleral lenses are beneficial for someone with advanced keratoconus. These lenses vault over the cornea and rest on the whites of your eyes (sclera), creating a smooth opticalsurface. However, an optometrist experienced with keratoconus will be the bestperson to advise.
