Marfan Syndrome And Keratoconus

[didier616]

Don't know if it is the right place to ask this question, if not please redirect the post where it is more appropriate, THanks

So, my question is Is there a relashionship between Marfan Syndrome and Keratoconus
I have a keratoconus, since age of 13.
I have a pigeon chest, long fingers, flat feet , and lot of features that of Marfan Syndrome, but no scolosis no kyphosis,( i have been going to the gym, to hide pigeon chest and my knees that bend strangely, Could weight lifting correc Kyphosis and Scolosis) I dont have protrusio acetabulae,

[battistin]

Keratoconus is a weakening of the collagen of the cornea.  Marfan's is a disorder of connective tissues.  There has not been a formalized study to determine if there is a link between the two conditions.  Interesting, was my son has keratoconus and was treated by Dr. Brian Boxer Wachler in Los Angeles, CA.  While we were at the office we met a young man who had Marfan's and keratoconus.  His story was featured on Today Show, but the did not discuss the Marfan's.  I do know if you have keratoconus it is important that you consider C3R.  This is a non-invasive 30 minute office based treatment.  The procedure strengthens the weakened collagen fibers and stops/slows this progressive condition.  We flew our son from Tennessee to Los Angeles to have this procedure with Dr. Brian Boxer Wachler.  You can watch the Today Show segment here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7l54xJdI2rc  I am passionate about educating others that their are treatments for keratoconus, you don't have to suffer with progressive loss of vision and doctors telling you the only option is painful hard contacts or cornea transplant. Wish you all the best.

[kenkeith]

Thank you for chosing heart disease forum for your question.  Your question has had responses from previous posts and the correct forum, however, there is a new forum that relates specifically to congenital heart disorders. http://www.medhelp.org/forums/Pediatric-Cardiology/show/302

But of interest for you and some insight, researchers in Argentina found that patients with keratoconus (a hereditary, degenerative condition that causes the cornea to thin and protrude into a cone-like shape) were more likely to be deficient in magnesium. Interestingly, one of the researchers from this study also noticed the links between Mg deficits, keratoconus and Marfan and Down syndrome.

Though some cases have traced causes to heredity, others to injury, and yet others to diseases or medical disorders such as Down's Syndrome, Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, Marfan's Syndrome, and Addison's Disease. In some cases, keratoconus has been linked to excessive eye rubbing and long-term use of hard contact lenses. The etiology of keratoconus is still unknown.

Because the syndrome can be of medical significance at a young age, I have suggested you post your question with the pediatric heart community as that is a new group that has experience and knowledge with congenital heart disease, and its association with other health complications and the community can identify with your medical situation.

Thanks for sharing, and I wish you well going forward.  Hope we can be of help for you.  Take care,

Ken

[cindy707]

You know in reading your post rather than re directing this to another site you may be in better shape in re posting this at the Medhelp "Ask a Doctor" site simply put because it is multiple doctors that work basically as a round table and they hail from the Cleveland Clinic one of the best in the world that is sitting on the cutting edge of everything it seems.  If a specific doc does not know the answer they will consult with others in a variety of specialty areas and i think that you may be pretty successful in getting your answer right from the horses mouth so to speak.  Medhelp has a great eye care site and you could toss out the question there to see if anyone bites but i think you would get your answers quicker by the docs site...hope this was helpful.