Keratoconus is a type of refractive error that can impact your ability to see. If you’ve never heard of it, you’re not alone. We encourage you to read on and learn a bit more, including how our Eye Site Vision Center optometrists in Boca Raton, Coral Springs, and Lighthouse Point can help you or a loved one.
On the front of your eyes in front of your colored irises, you have a transparent dome-shaped structure called your corneas. The corneas play an important role in vision since they help direct light in through the pupils so it focuses properly on the retinas in the back of the eyes.
In keratoconus, a person’s corneas become irregularly shaped over time; they tend to become more conical, less symmetrical, and thinner. These changes effectively disrupt the way light normally enters the eyes, thus impairing your vision.
It’s not entirely clear what causes keratoconus, but it typically develops during the late teens and early twenties. There may be a genetic component, as well, since it can run in families.
How Can I Tell if I Have Keratoconus?
It can take years for keratoconus to fully develop and progress, and symptoms are generally progressive in nature. Depending on the stage you’re in, your keratoconus symptoms may include:
- blurry and distorted vision (e.g., straight lines look wavy)
- heightened sensitivity to light
- redness and swelling of the eye
- increased nearsightedness or astigmatism (you may find yourself needing new eyeglass prescriptions frequently)
- poor tolerance to and/or inability to wear contact lenses (due to discomfort)
How is Keratoconus Treated?
The first step in keratoconus treatment is a diagnosis, which our optometrist can do on a comprehensive eye exam. Once a diagnosis is made, proper treatment can be initiated, depending on your needs.
The treatments we offer at Eye Site Vision Center include:
- Specialty or hard to fit contact lenses
- Updated eyeglass prescriptions
- Medicines to help minimize eye itchiness or allergy symptoms
- Pre- and post-operative care if surgical intervention is indicated