Keratos - European association on ocular surface diseases and lachrymal dysfunctions.    Afficher en Français  Display in English   Acesso ao site em Portugês
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Preserve our Eyes, not our Drops!

 

 

 

 


      

 

Ocular Surface Diseases

 

Definition:

 

 

Our understanding of Ocular Surface Diseases:

More than an association or a support group on a specific ocular disease, Keratos is instered in all types of lachrymal dysfunctions (dry eyes if you will), corneal wound healing issues, other ocular surface problems such as severe allergies and intolerances. In sum, more than defending the interests of one particular ocular surface disease, Keratos focuses its activities in common syndromes, symptoms like dryness, inflammations and inadequate healing and other challenges these ocular surfaces face. That is what determins our goals. In fact, within Keratos several different orphan diseases are represented but these frequently have similar symptoms if not syndromes and face the exact same challenges in terms of medical, social and professional needs. While there may be some differences, all members of Keratos are concerned by the following goal: restore the normal metabolism of the ocular surface (cornea and tears in particular). Only a collective action will be able to address the many issues and challenges compromised ocular surface. 

By the terms "lachrymal dysfunctions", in some cases "dry eyes," we intend to gather the following denominations: dry eyes, dry eye syndrome, xerophtalmia, keratoconjonctivitis sicca or KCS, DTS (Dysfunctional Tear Syndrome), meibomitis or meibomianitis, MGD (Meibomian Gland Dysfunctions), blepharitis, ocular rosacea and other pathologies that lead to lachrymal dysfunctions. Some of these terms may designate a specific dry eye state or even be synomyms. Theses pathologies also range from the begnin light dry eye state relieve but less than 3 drops a day or more complex cases leading to severe eye scarring and loss of sight. The latter cases are truly disabilities, however one must recognise that many ophthalmologists are frequently confronted to the first category and are not capable of dealing with the other. Many other pathologies lead to a dry eye state: numerous autoimmune diseases, graft versus host disease for instance, hormonal diseases, some accidental causes, neurotrophic diseases, etc).

By the terms Neurotrophic Corneas or Neurodystrophic Eyes, we intend to designate a group of ocular surface states usually related to following terms: neurotrophic keratitis, epitheliopathy or keratopathy, neuroparalytic keratitis  and some symptoms such as superficial ponctuate keratitis, persistant epithelial defect, recurrent corneal erosion, etc. In sum, all ocular surface diseases resulting from the loss of sensitivity due to various causes (accidents, surgeries, iatrogenic or medical causes, diabetes mellitus, herpes, refractive surgery, etc). These pathologies have in commun, the ocular incapacity to face the myriad of aggressions the ocular surface faces each day, to heal properly and other consequences which may lead to blindness. A deficient lachrymal system and healing capacity are the two main common carateristics of these pathologies.  

Corneal Dystrophies are ocular surface diseases of unknown specific etiology but most likely of genetic origin: Avellino's Dystrophy, Groenouw's Dystrophy, Reis-Buckler's Dystrophy or the genetic BIG-H3 Dystrophy, Schnyder's Dystrophy, Meesmann's, Cogan's or Microcystic Dystrophy, Lattice type II Dystrophy (familiar amyloidosis), Granular, Map dot fingerprint or Anterior (or Epithelial) Basement Membrane Dystrophy, etc. Again, we are not an association specialised in Dystrophies but we are interested in dry eye syndromes that coexist with those pathologies.

Some severe forms of ocular allergy such as atopic and vernal keratoconjunctivitis but also the more of less obscure link between some dry and allergic eye states.   In some cases, these are pathologies that can lead to severe eye scarring and disabilities in severe cases combining allergy and severe dry eye.

In conclusion, the association is interested in al issues related to lachrymal dysfunctions, corneal healing problems, frequent ulcerations, ocular pain and allergies, and severe intolerances present in different ocular surface diseases including their common therapeutic and social challenges. 

 

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