Definition

Noun: A medical condition of the eye characterized by an abnormal, progressive thinning and bulging of the cornea into a cone-like shape, which distorts vision.

Usage

Keratoconus is a specific medical term used to name the condition itself. It is typically used in clinical, optometric, and ophthalmological contexts. - The patient was diagnosed with keratoconus in both eyes. - Early detection of keratoconus is important for managing its progression.

Advanced Usage

• Progressive keratoconus: Refers to the condition when it is actively worsening over time.
  • The goal of corneal cross-linking is to halt progressive keratoconus.
• Keratoconus screening: The process of testing for signs of the condition.
  • The optometrist recommended keratoconus screening for the patient's family members.

Variants and Related Words

• Keratoconic (adjective): Describing something related to or affected by keratoconus.
  • The keratoconic cornea has a distinctive shape visible in topography.

Synonyms

• Conical cornea: A descriptive synonym focusing on the shape of the cornea.
• Corneal ectasia: A broader term for a thinning and bulging cornea, which includes keratoconus as its most common form.

Related Terms (Not Phrasal Verbs or Idioms)

• Cornea: The clear, dome-shaped front surface of the eye that is affected by keratoconus.
• Epikeratophakia: A surgical procedure mentioned in the reference context as a potential treatment, involving the grafting of donor corneal tissue.
• Corneal cross-linking: A common modern treatment to strengthen the cornea and stop progression.
• Astigmatism: A type of vision distortion that is often severe in keratoconus.

Noun

1. abnormal cone-shaped protrusion of the cornea of the eye; can be treated by epikeratophakia