Keratoconus is an eye condition that occurs when the cornea - the clear, dome-shaped surface at the front of the eyeball - begins to thin and lose its shape. As the dome weakens, it bulges outward and becomes more of a cone shape.
Common symptoms of keratoconus include:
Blurred vision
Double vision when looking through a single eye
Sensitivity to light and glare
Keratoconus usually begins to affect people between the ages of 10 and 25. The development of keratoconus progresses slowly, although it affects the eyes more rapidly in younger children. There is no common cause of keratoconus, although genetics are thought to play a role in the development of the condition. Nearly 1 in 10 individuals with keratoconus also have a parent who has managed the condition.
If left untreated, keratoconus can lead to scarring of the cornea, which may cloud and worsen vision even more. Because of this, if you are experiencing any of the symptoms above, it is recommended that you talk to an eye doctor to begin treatment.
Treatment Options
Below is a list of common treatment options for keratoconus. During your appointment, discuss these with your doctor to determine the right treatment plan for you.
In the early stages of keratoconus, vision difficulties may be addressed through corrective lenses. This may include eyeglasses and soft contact lenses. Frequent prescription changes may be necessary to adapt to the changes in your corneal shape.
If the condition worsens, your doctor may recommend switching to hard (rigid, gas permeable) contact lenses that are specially designed to fit the cornea.
Corneal cross-linking may slow or stop the condition from progressing. This therapy involves applying eye drops with riboflavin to the eye, then exposing the eye to ultraviolet light for up to 30 minutes. This process helps strengthen fibers and proteins in the eye, stiffening the cornea, and making it less susceptible to changing shape. By undergoing this procedure early in the condition’s development, the cornea may be prevented from steepening.
For advanced stages of keratoconus, your doctor may recommend a corneal transplant to restore eyesight. Surgery for keratoconus is rarely needed, as corneal cross-linking is frequently effective in treating the condition. However, if keratoconus has progressed to a point where cross-linking or corrective lenses will not adequately treat the condition, surgery may be the only effective treatment option.