Keratoconus

Keratoconus Overview

Keratoconus is a condition that causes your cornea, which should be round like a ball, to bulge into a cone shape. The misshapen cornea can cause you to have vision problems. Fortunately, the professionals at Today's Vision Creekside can provide treatment options for this condition.

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Who Is At Risk For Keratoconus?

Doctors do not know what causes keratoconus, but they do know that it often comes on between the ages of 10 and 25. Also, it comes on slowly and can gradually progress for 10 or more years. While the cause of this condition is unknown, there are certain factors that can increase your chance of getting it.

  • Having a family member with keratoconus. According to studies, one in 10 people with this condition also has a parent with it.
  • Vigorous rubbing of the eyes
  • Certain medical conditions can increase the risk including hay fever, asthma, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, Down syndrome and retinitis pigmentosa.

What Are the Symptoms of Keratoconus?

In the early stages, you might have no symptoms at all. Over time, the symptoms can begin to appear and then progress. They include:

  • Blurry vision
  • Distorted vision
  • Sudden worsening of vision
  • Sudden cloudy vision
  • Needing to change your eyeglass prescription frequently
  • Sensitivity to light and glare
  • Difficulty driving at night

How Is Keratoconus Diagnosed?

There are a few ways that your eye doctor can diagnose this condition. During your annual eye exam, your doctor will perform a slit lamp exam, which will allow them to inspect the shape of your cornea. If they find an abnormality, further testing would be required.

  • Keratometry: This test is designed to allow the eye doctor to see the shape of the cornea. They would focus a light on the cornea, which allows them to measure the reflection.
  • Computerized corneal mapping: This test can record images to create a detailed map of your cornea. This test will allow your eye doctor to track the progression of the disease.

How Is Keratoconus Treated?

In the early stages of the condition, your eye doctor may prescribe a new eyeglass prescription to improve your vision. As the condition progresses, there are other treatment options available.

  • Rigid Gas Permeable Contacts: These lenses are a popular and effective treatment for this condition. Because they are hard lenses, they will hold your cornea in its round shape.
  • Piggyback lenses: If you cannot get used to gas permeable lenses, your eye doctor can suggest piggyback lenses. This is where you would wear a soft lens under the gas permeable lens to act as a cushion.
  • Scleral lenses: These lenses are often prescribed for patients with irregularly shaped corneas. These lenses sit on the white of your eye and vault over the cornea, allowing them to work on different shaped corneas.

Call Today's Vision Creekside Today!

If you are experiencing the symptoms of keratoconus, schedule an appointment with Today's Vision Creekside. Our doctors of optometry offer eye care services to patients in Tomball, The Woodlands, and Spring, TX the surrounding areas. To schedule an appointment, give us a call today at (346) 808-7342.

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TODAY'S VISION CREEKSIDE

Monday

9:00 am - 6:00 pm

Tuesday

9:00 am - 6:00 pm

Wednesday

9:00 am - 5:00 pm

Thursday

9:00 am - 6:00 pm

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9:00 am - 6:00 pm

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TODAY'S VISION CREEKSIDE

Monday
9:00 am - 6:00 pm
Tuesday
9:00 am - 6:00 pm
Wednesday
9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Thursday
9:00 am - 6:00 pm
Friday
9:00 am - 6:00 pm
Saturday
Closed
Sunday
Closed