Keratoconus

What is Keratoconus?

According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, Keratoconus (ker-uh-toe-KOH-nus) is when your cornea thins out and bulges like a cone. When your cornea is out of shape, the light rays become out of focus. This can make your vision blurry. Keratoconus often starts when people are in their late teens to early twenties and can affect both eyes.

What causes keratoconus?

This condition is often genetic. So patients with keratoconus should encourage family members to get screened. Keratoconus is also associated with:

  • Excessive eye rubbing

  • Eye allergies

  • Connective tissue disorders such as Marfan syndrome and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome

What are the symptoms?

Early symptoms may include:

  • Blurry vision (mild)

  • Increased light sensitivity and glare

  • Redness or swelling

Later symptoms include: 

  • More blurry vision

  • Not being able to wear contact lenses

  • Increased nearsightedness or astigmatism

Keratoconus can be diagnosed at a routine eye exam. In our office, we will use a machine that maps out your cornea’s curvature. This will show the condition of the surface of the cornea.

what are the treatments?

How is keratoconus treated?

Treatments depend on how severe your symptoms are. Many ophthalmologists are now treating keratoconus with: 

  • Collagen cross-linking: this uses UV light and eye drops to strengthen your cornea. This revolutionary treatment with minimal discomfort prevents keratoconus from progressing to blindness.

  • Hard contact lens and other cornea reshaping therapies.

  • Corneal transplant: this is a last resort and is done by replacing your cornea with donor cornea tissue.

Keratoconus can lead to permanent vision loss and blindness if it is not treated promptly.

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, please give our office a call and we can get you scheduled.

Sources: Boyd, K. (2022, March 25). What is keratoconus? American Academy of Ophthalmology. Retrieved July 18, 2022, from https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/what-is-keratoconus

Arpita Bhasin