Ophthalmologist warns of disease that can cause blindness: “Be careful when scratching your eyes”

Alert

Keratoconus is one of the main causes responsible for corneal transplants performed in Brazil

Manaus (AM) – The “Violet June” campaign started and serves as an awareness of a disease that can lead to vision loss, keratoconus. According to the Ministry of Health, the disease is one of the main causes responsible for corneal transplants performed in Brazil.

According to the ophthalmologist, Swammy Mitozo, keratoconus can occur in one eye or both and its main characteristic is continuous and progressive dystrophy that affects the structure of the cornea, causing central or paracentral thinning, making the structure look similar to the one of a cone.

According to the Ministry of Health, young people are the most affected and the disease usually appears between 13 and 18 years old, progressing for about eight years.

Still according to Swammy, the cause is multifactorial, it is a congenital disease that affects between 0.5% and 3% of the world population. “Keratoconus is closely linked to the habit of scratching the eyes. We need to alert society about this bad habit”, emphasized the ophthalmologist.

In addition to the guidance not to scratch the eyes, it is important to treat the itch, whether it is caused by ocular allergy or dry eye, preventing the patient’s condition from getting worse.

The disease has different stages and the treatment consists of different procedures. “Each case is different. In the first phase, it has no symptoms and is identified through complementary tests. Vision can be corrected with glasses. In the moderate phase, the indication is to implant an intracorneal ring, or crosslinking, to stop the progression of the disease. Vision loss occurs in more advanced stages of the disease, leading to corneal transplantation..”

According to data from the Brazilian Council of Ophthalmology, the disease affects approximately 150,000 people in Brazil annually. The Violet June campaign involves medical societies and the CBO to bring information about keratoconus to the population, warning about how to prevent it.

“That’s why it’s important that at any itch and sign of vision problems, seek an ophthalmology professional. Because you should already alert patients and family members about the necessary care with the eyes and the importance of avoiding scratching them. This is an essential and life question”,

concludes Swammy.

*With advisory information

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