Keratoconus Management

Your cornea is the clear, domed front surface of your eye. Keratoconus is a condition where your cornea distends into a cone shape, distorting your vision. If you have a family history of keratoconus, your risk of the condition is higher, and you should have regular exams with the team at In Focus Vision Center & Eyecare in Piscataway, New Jersey. Ray Corbin-Simon, OD, the expert optometrist at the practice, can diagnose and treat keratoconus to protect and preserve your vision. Call the office or schedule an appointment online today.
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Keratoconus Treatment Q & A

What is keratoconus?

Keratoconus is a condition that develops when your cornea bulges into an abnormal cone shape. A healthy cornea is dome-shaped and covers the front of your eyeball, focusing light as it enters your pupil. When your cornea is misshapen, it distorts your vision.

The exact cause of keratoconus isn’t understood. However, there is a strong genetic link, with around 10% of people with keratoconus having a parent who also has it. Keratoconus usually develops when you’re in your late adolescence and develops slowly over 10-20 years. Many people have a mild form of the condition that stabilizes after a few years and doesn’t require extensive treatment.

What are the signs of keratoconus?

Blurry or distorted vision is a primary sign of keratoconus and other eye problems. For example, objects may appear fuzzy or blurred, or lines might look wavy.

You may also experience sensitivity to bright lights, which could make driving at night difficult.

How is keratoconus diagnosed?

At In Focus Vision Center & Eyecare, your optometrist can diagnose keratoconus during a routine eye exam. Your optometrist uses both an eye refraction test and a slit-lamp examination to measure your eyes and evaluate the shape and health of your cornea. If either of these tests have abnormal results, they may order additional testing such as keratometry or digital corneal mapping, also referred to as corneal topography, to gauge the shape of your cornea.

How is keratoconus treated?

Your optometrist at In Focus Vision Center & Eyecare provides customized treatments that address your specific needs and the severity of your condition. If your keratoconus is mild to moderate, your doctor may suggest eyeglasses or contact lenses to correct your vision.

Depending on the severity of your vision distortion, you may benefit from hybrid or scleral contact lenses. Hybrid lenses are rigid in the center but have a soft outer ring to enhance their comfort. Many people who can’t tolerate hard contact lenses do well with hybrid lenses.

Scleral lenses are designed to accommodate irregular eye shapes. Instead of resting on your cornea like regular lenses, scleral contact lenses sit on the white part of your eye and dome over your cornea without touching it.

However, if your keratoconus is severe and your vision can’t be corrected with eyeglasses or contact lenses, your optometrist may recommend surgical treatments such as corneal inserts or cornea transplants.

If you notice your vision has become blurry, call or go online today to schedule an eye exam.