Signs You May Have Keratoconus

Most people have corneas that are round or nearly so. Corneas and lenses that are slightly misshapen corneas are the primary reason for refractive errors such as nearsightedness and farsightedness. Another condition driven by a misshapen cornea is keratoconus, in which a thinning cornea bulges into a cone shape. It is a rare disease, but if you need eye care and want care from an optometrist near you, consider Today's Vision Creekside, serving the Tomball, TX, and The Woodlands, TX, area.

Causes and Symptoms of Keratoconus

The onset of keratoconus generally happens in young adulthood and can result in permanent vision loss when untreated. The cause of keratoconus is unknown, but most believe there is a genetic basis. Medical science also has not found a cure, though keratoconus is successfully treated in most cases, and those with the disease lead lives with limited restrictions. People with keratoconus tend to rub their eyes frequently, which is also associated with other conditions.

Symptoms primarily confined to those with keratoconus include:

• Gradual worsening of vision in one eye (keratoconus also affects both eyes, with one being affected more)
• Double vision when closing one eye
• Distortions in which straight lines appear curved

Keratoconus has overlapping symptoms with other conditions, reinforcing the need for regular vision exams to allow early identification and treatment of keratoconus and other conditions.

Diagnosing Keratoconus

Keratoconus may see indications of keratoconus during an eye exam that includes visual acuity testing using an eye chart. Still, the formal diagnosis often occurs using keratometry, which measures the corneal shape and astigmatism, or corneal mapping (tomography and topography), which measures the curvature of your eye's surface.

Treating Keratoconus

Sometimes, keratoconus does not become worse or does too erratically, so your eye doctor will use the least invasive treatments available based on your status. They may start with eyeglasses or contact lenses to correct the astigmatism and nearsightedness resulting from keratoconus.

Some patients need a one-time corneal collagen cross-linking procedure as the disease progresses. In later stages, patients may require a corneal ring to allow them to wear contact lenses or corneal transplant surgery.

Get Eye Care, Eye Doctor Services, and Keratoconus Treatment Near You from an Optometrist Near You

If you are looking for keratoconus treatment near you or want an eye doctor in the Tomball, TX, or The Woodlands, TX, area, contact us at Today's Vision Creekside. Call us at (346) 808-7342 for eye care, eye doctor services, and keratoconus treatment near you from an optometrist near you.