Corectasia is a medical term commonly used in ophthalmology to describe a condition characterized by a distortion or irregularity in the shape and structure of the cornea. The cornea is the clear, dome-shaped tissue located at the front of the eye that helps focus light and allows for clear vision. In corectasia, there is an abnormal bulging or steepening of the cornea, causing visual impairment.
This condition can occur as a result of various factors, including corneal thinning or weakening, corneal scarring, previous eye surgeries, or certain diseases like keratoconus or pellucid marginal degeneration. As the cornea loses its normal spherical shape and becomes more irregular, light entering the eye becomes scattered or refracted unevenly, leading to blurred or distorted vision.
Symptoms of corectasia can include progressive nearsightedness (myopia), astigmatism, increased sensitivity to light (photophobia), difficulty with night vision, halos around lights, and eye strain. It is typically diagnosed through a comprehensive eye examination, which may involve assessing visual acuity, checking corneal thickness, mapping the corneal shape, and measuring corneal curvature.
Treatment options for corectasia aim to correct the refractive error and improve vision. This can be achieved through the use of eyeglasses or contact lenses, including specialized lenses for irregular corneas, such as scleral lenses or rigid gas permeable lenses. In more severe cases, surgical interventions like corneal cross-linking, corneal transplant, or implantation of intracorneal rings may be necessary to stabilize or reshape the cornea.
