Keratoconus changes the shape of the cornea, which can make clear vision increasingly difficult to achieve with ordinary glasses or contact lenses.
At Pacific Eye Care Doctors of Optometry, our optometrists use detailed corneal measurements and specialty contact lens expertise to evaluate keratoconus and help patients find vision correction suited to their individual eyes.
Keratoconus is a condition in which the normally rounded cornea gradually becomes thinner and develops a more irregular, cone-like shape.
Because the cornea helps focus light entering the eye, these changes can cause irregular astigmatism and distorted or blurry vision.
Keratoconus often begins during the teens or young adult years and can affect one or both eyes. The way it develops and progresses varies considerably between patients.
Early keratoconus can be difficult to recognize because symptoms may initially resemble an ordinary change in prescription.
Possible signs include:
If your prescription is changing frequently or glasses no longer provide the clarity you expect, additional corneal testing may be appropriate.
The exact cause of keratoconus is not fully understood. Genetics can play a role, and the condition may occur more frequently in people with a family history of keratoconus.
Frequent or forceful eye rubbing has also been associated with keratoconus and may contribute to progression in susceptible eyes.
A detailed examination and corneal mapping can help identify changes in corneal shape and determine whether additional monitoring or care is needed.
Because keratoconus affects the shape of the cornea, detailed measurements are an important part of evaluating the condition.
Corneal topography creates a map of the corneal surface, allowing our optometrists to examine its curvature and irregularities. These measurements are also valuable when designing and fitting specialty contact lenses for keratoconus.
When appropriate, repeat testing can help document changes over time.
The best vision correction depends on the shape of your cornea and the severity of the condition.
In earlier or milder cases, glasses or soft contact lenses may provide adequate vision correction.
As the cornea becomes more irregular, however, ordinary lenses may no longer provide the clarity a patient needs.
Rigid gas-permeable lenses create a regular optical surface in front of the irregular cornea, which can improve vision for some patients with keratoconus.
Because keratoconic corneas vary considerably in shape, careful fitting and follow-up are important.
Scleral lenses are an important specialty option for many patients with irregular corneas.
Rather than resting directly on the cornea, these larger lenses vault over it and rest on the sclera, the white portion of the eye. The fluid-filled space between the lens and cornea creates a smooth optical surface that may provide clearer, more stable vision.
Pacific Eye Care provides customized scleral lens evaluations and fittings for appropriate keratoconus patients.
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Specialty contact lenses can improve vision, but they do not stop the underlying cornea from changing.
For patients with progressive keratoconus, an ophthalmologist may recommend corneal cross-linking, a procedure designed to strengthen corneal tissue and slow further progression.
Other surgical options may be considered in more advanced cases. When care beyond optometric management is appropriate, we can help coordinate referral and ongoing vision care.
Keratoconus can change over time, making ongoing monitoring important.
Follow-up visits allow our optometrists to evaluate your vision, monitor corneal findings, assess your contact lens fit, and make adjustments when necessary.
If you wear specialty lenses, regular examinations also give us an opportunity to check your corneal health and ensure your lenses continue to meet your visual needs.
If glasses or conventional contact lenses are no longer giving you the vision you need, a specialty evaluation can help determine what other options may be appropriate.
Pacific Eye Care provides keratoconus evaluations, corneal mapping, and customized specialty contact lens fittings in Huntington Beach.