Keratoconus is an eye problem that thins the cornea gradually. It causes it to bulge outwards and form a shape that looks like a cone. The cornea is the outer layer of your eye. It covers the front part and protects it from debris and germs.

Apart from protection, the cornea also focuses light on the eye. Keratoconus causes it to thin in its center and lower parts. It can lead to scarring and swelling. As a result, the changes can result in vision problems like astigmatism and myopia.

Keratoconus is a rare eye condition. It often occurs when people are in their teenage years or twenties and affects all genders equally.

Symptoms

Keratoconus symptoms can change as the condition progresses. However, below are some of the signs you are likely to have:

• Blurred vision
• Need to change your prescription frequently
• Light sensitivity
• Light streaks
• Sudden clouding or worsening of vision
• Double vision when using one eye to see
• Triple ghost images

Causes of Keratoconus

The causes of keratoconus are not yet clear. Some experts claim that it results from genetic makeup. However, there are certain health conditions linked to it, such as:

• Sleep apnea
• Down syndrome
• Vernal keratoconjunctivitis
• Ehlers-Danlos syndrome
• Retinopathy of prematurity
• Eye injury from contact lens use or too much rubbing
• Retinitis pigmentosa
• Leber congenital amaurosis

What Worsens Keratoconus

The cornea is held in place by collagen. The collagen hinders it from bulging outwards. When its fibers become weak, the shape does not stay in place.

Keratoconus becomes worse when the collagen continues weakening. Some factors, such as constant eye rubbing, contribute to this. Also, wearing contact lenses that do not fit properly can rub against the affected part of your cornea. As a result, it can worsen the condition.

Diagnosis

Your eye doctor will begin by asking everything they need to know about your health history. They will then do an eye exam to check for vision sharpness. The exam will also entail pupil dilation by using special eye drops to widen your pupil. Doing so will allow them to see your eye structures. They may also measure the curvature of your cornea using a particular device.

Your doctor may not find keratoconus in its early stages unless they intentionally look for its signs. They can diagnose it by using corneal topography, an imaging test that shows the shape changes of your cornea.

Treatment

Your specialist will recommend treatment based on the severity of the condition. Treatment options also depend on the type of keratoconus. You may first begin by wearing eyeglasses to help correct the visual problems that result from keratoconus. If your glasses do not help, you may get special contact lenses. You are likely to use gas-permeable contact lenses that need careful fitting on your cornea.

Most patients may not require further treatment. But if your cornea cannot handle contact lenses or is too scarred, another type of treatment may be necessary. A corneal transplant may be ideal for such a situation.

Eye care professionals can sometimes mix treatments to give better results. It is ideal to ask your specialist what treatment suits your state.

For more eye protection tips or to book an appointment with our team, call Clarity Vision at (919) 367-2832 to reach our office in Apex, North Carolina.