Keratoconus Information and Treatment

Keratoconus is a progressive eye disease that causes the corneal tissue (that transparent dome-shaped part on the front of your eye) to thin and lose its shape. So instead of a gentle dome shape, the cornea becomes somewhat cone-shaped. This interferes with its ability to focus light onto the retina, which causes blurry vision and other visual disturbances.

Keratoconus Symptoms

Keratoconus is usually diagnosed during puberty and progresses at a variable rate. Symptoms vary depending on how quickly keratoconus progresses, but may include:

• Blurry and distorted vision
• Clouding of the vision
• Sensitivity to light
• Poor night vision
• Headaches (from eye strain)
• Difficulty discerning close-up images.

Keratoconus Treatment

With proper treatment, keratoconus can be managed. Treatment depends on when it’s diagnosed, how far it’s progressed, and your unique needs.

Treatment options include:

• Eyeglasses for treating early-stage keratoconus (usually requires frequent changes in the astigmatism prescription)
• Contact lenses for mild to moderate keratoconus (options include soft, Rigid Gas Permeable (RGP), and scleral lenses)
• Corneal implants to help flatten and reshape the cornea
• Corneal transplants that replace the damaged cornea with healthy donor tissue (this is best for late-stage keratoconus or if contact lenses won’t work)

Fortunately, the effects of keratoconus are manageable. The sooner it’s diagnosed, the faster symptoms can be treated. If you have keratoconus, our experienced team of board-certified ophthalmologists provide exceptional treatment options and our knowledgeable optometrists can prescribe glasses and contact lenses. Contact us to request an appointment.