Keratoconus Solutions

Keratoconus Treatment

Typically, there are a few options available to help people who have keratoconus see more clearly, depending on severity: lenses, cross linking therapy, and surgery.

Vision correction—mild to moderate keratoconus can be corrected using eyeglasses or contact lenses. Some specialty contact lenses, such as RGP, hybrid, or scleral lenses, can make vision correction more comfortable for those with keratoconus.

Corneal collagen cross-linking—In this process, the corneal tissues are strengthened using riboflavin-medicated eye drops and ultraviolet light. This causes your cornea to stiffen, preventing further thinning and bulging. It doesn’t correct vision, but it can prevent progression.

Corneal transplant surgery—Scarring, extreme corneal thinning, and poor vision may lead you to need corneal transplant surgery. There are 2 types of transplant surgery: keratoplasty and deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK).

Keratoconus

How Keratoconus Affects You

Advanced keratoconus can cause blurry vision, distortion, haloes, glare, and sensitivity to light, even with glasses on. It may also be uncomfortable to wear contact lenses.

How Keratoconus is Diagnosed

    Symptoms of keratoconus typically appear in the late teenage years or early 20s and can progress for 10–20 years before slowing down and stabilizing. Keratoconus can also affect each eye at different rates.

    The doctors at Specialty Eye can diagnose the early stages of keratoconus at your comprehensive eye exams.

    Your risk of developing keratoconus could be increased if you:

    • Have a family history of keratoconus
    • Frequently & vigorously rub your eyes
    • Have certain conditions like hay fever, asthma, Down syndrome, and others

    Refraction

    Determining your prescription is an integral part of diagnosing keratoconus. Testing the refraction determines how light enters your eye. If you have keratoconus, light rays will not be able to come to a pinpoint focus on the retina. Your optometrist will use a phoropter (different lenses) and a retinoscope (a handheld device) to determine your refraction.

    Slit-Lamp

    During your exam, your optometrist may use a slit lamp, which is a microscope with a bright light that is shined into your eye to illuminate the structures at the front of the eye. During the slit lamp exam, your optometrist evaluates the shape of your cornea and looks for other potential issues.

    Corneal Mapping

    Corneal tomography and topography both take detailed images of the shape, dimensions, and thickness of your cornea—the frontmost part of your eye. Corneal mapping can often detect the earliest signs of keratoconus before other tests.

    Keratometry

    A quick and effective test for keratoconus is keratometry—your eye doctors will focus a circle of light on your eye and measure your corneal curvature. Having a very steep cornea is a sign of keratoconus.

    Trusted Experts

    Specialty Eye puts your eye health at the top of our priority list. We are always working to learn about the latest technologies and techniques available to best serve you. Our optometrists have extensive experience in treating and managing keratoconus symptoms. If needed, we will refer you to an ophthalmologist for advanced treatment. Book your appointment today to speak with our experts.