Treatment for Keratoconus: What Should You Expect?

Did you know that an estimated 1 in 2,000 Americans have keratoconus? The rare condition affects men and women of all ethnic backgrounds.

Are you experiencing keratoconus symptoms? Do you need treatment for keratoconus but aren’t sure what’s available?

The following guide will explain what the condition is and how it causes eye problems. Read on to discover keratoconus signs and treatment plans.

What Is Keratoconus?

Keratoconus happens when your cornea thins and slowly protrudes outward forming a cone shape. The bulge can cause blurred vision, glare, and light sensitivity. This is because light rays become out of focus.

It typically impacts both eyes but often affects one more than the other. Keratoconus normally starts to affect individuals between the ages of 10 to 25 years old.

Keratoconus can progress gradually for a decade or more. As the condition advances, daily tasks such as driving and reading become more difficult.

Keratoconus Symptoms and Diagnosis

Keratoconus signs and symptoms often change as the condition advances. Distorted vision and glare from bright lights are very common signs. It usually creates vision problems while driving at night.

Another possible sign of keratoconus is frequently needing to change eyeglass prescriptions. Those with the condition often report a sudden clouding of their vision.

Make sure to see an eye doctor if you’ve experienced any sudden worsening of your vision. They can use techniques like eye refraction, slit-lamp exams, keratometry, and corneal mapping to diagnose keratoconus.

Treatment for Keratoconus With Lenses

Special eyeglasses and soft contact lenses can help improve distorted vision during the early stages of Keratoconus. However, prescriptions will rapidly change as the cornea’s shape changes.

Hard contact lenses usually get recommended for advanced keratoconus. Although, many people find that hard contact lenses are uncomfortable. However, piggyback lenses and hybrid lenses can help relieve this discomfort.

Scleral lenses help with rare cornea shape changes in advanced keratoconus. These lenses rest on the white part of the eye without touching the cornea.

Keratoconus Therapies and Surgery

Cross-linking is a procedure that floods the cornea with eye drops. Then, the eyes get treated using ultraviolet light. It makes the cornea stiff to stop further shape changes.

Surgery is needed if there’s any corneal scarring, heavy corneal thinning, or vision too poor for lenses. Penetrating keratoplasty is a full cornea transplant for scarring and thinning.

DALK surgery helps maintain the cornea’s inner lining. The procedure prevents the rejection of the lining that can happen during a full transplant.

Surgeries are usually very successful, but there are potential complications. Examples include graft rejection and infection. You can visit specsappealga.com for more information about lenses as a surgery alternative.

Understanding Keratoconus

Now you know what keratoconus is and the symptoms to watch for. You also know how the condition gets diagnosed and treated. Remember that keratoconus has a slow progression and worsens over time.

Consult an optometrist for options right away if you’re experiencing signs of keratoconus. Check out our site’s health section for more informative tips.