Conditions
Keratoconus
What Keratoconus?
Keratoconus is a fairly uncommon eye condition, affecting roughly 1 in 2,000 people. The disease causes progressive weakening and thinning of the cornea, which causes it to bulge into a cone shape. Your vision is typically not correctable with glasses, requiring specialty contact lenses, or in severe cases if left untreated, a corneal transplant.
Common Questions About Keratoconus
When does keratoconus first appear?
The first signs of keratoconus usually appear in your teenage years. In most people, the condition stabilizes in their 40s or 50s, although some experience progression of the disease, especially if they continue to rub their eyes.
What are the symptoms of keratoconus?
In addition to blurred or distorted vision, symptoms of keratoconus can include a progressive increase in nearsightedness and astigmatism, sensitivity to light, and frequent prescription changes. The condition can make everyday activities like riding a bike or reading a magazine very difficult.
What causes keratoconus?
Keratoconus affects individuals throughout the world, and doesn’t have a significant geographic or cultural footprint. Keratoconus has a hereditary component, and is also strongly linked to vigorous eye rubbing and Down’s Syndrome.
How do you treat Keratoconus?
Collagen Cross Linking is the procedure of choice to stop the progression of the disease and should be performed when keratoconus is first diagnosed. If you have keratoconus, you should have collagen cross linking (CXL). CXL can also be combined with other procedures such as INTACS and EVO ICL.
Ask your NVISION eye surgeon about what procedures are best for you.
What are the early warning signs of keratoconus?
The earliest signs of keratoconus are blurred vision, squinting to see clearly, and a glasses prescription that increases from year to year. This typically results in more astigmatism that eventually cannot be corrected with glasses, requiring gas permeable or scleral contact lenses to see clearly.
What does vision look like with keratoconus?
Images look blurred and shadowy. Patients with keratoconus see more clearly when they squint.
Does eye rubbing cause or worsen keratoconus?
Yes, intense, prolonged eye rubbing can cause keratoconus. Certain conditions such as asthma and eczema are associated with a higher incidence of keratoconus because of intense eye rubbing.
Is keratoconus linked to allergies or asthma?
Yes, the incidence of keratoconus is higher in people who have allergies and asthma, since most rub their eyes frequently.
Should my children be screened for keratoconus?
Yes. Keratoconus can be diagnosed during an annual eye exam, which your child should have once they reach school age.
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