Keratoconus
The cornea is the clear, dome-shaped covering of the eyeball. In order to see clearly with or without glasses or contact lenses, the cornea must be clear as well as maintain this dome shape. For some patients, the cornea becomes thin and distorted and eventually bulges forward like a cone. This is called keratoconus.
What causes keratoconus? Usually there is no cause but it can be hereditary. Keratoconus has also been linked to chronic eye rubbing and Down syndrome.
Keratoconus usually begins in the late teenage years however it can occur in the twenties or early thirties. Patients usually notice a very slow progression of distorted vision. To a patient, objects appear doubled but their vision is still clear. They will also notice haloes or star bursts around bright lights. An optometrist or ophthalmologist makes a diagnosis of keratoconus based on these patient observations as well as results from a complete eye examination. Patients usually have an increase in the astigmatism portion of their eyeglass prescription. The cornea shape is examined manually by a machine called a keratometer. Computer-generated 3D maps of the cornea can also be performed using a topographer. These tests will indicate how curved or cone-shaped the cornea has become.
How is keratoconus treated? There is no cure for keratoconus. In the early stages we prescribe new eyeglasses. As the disease progresses, soft and then hard contact lenses are considered. Hard contact lenses work best since they maintain their shape and can help to mask the corneal irregularity that results from keratoconus. Some patients find hard contact lenses uncomfortable and need specialty contact lenses. One type of specialty contact lens has a hard material in the center and a soft material on the periphery. Another contact lens option available requires wearing a soft contact lens with a hard contact lens over top.
For some patients, the keratoconus progresses to the point where contact lens wear does not provide them with adequate vision, or they may simply find the contact lenses too uncomfortable. These patients are then considered for corneal transplant surgery. Any patient who has any sign of keratoconus should not have laser eye surgery.
Keratoconus does not result in blindness. Improving a keratoconic’s vision requires patience and persistence on the part of the patient and optometrist since no single treatment option works on every patient.
A regular eye exam is a key part of good vision health. Use our find an optometrist directory to find an eye doctor near you and to schedule an appointment.
