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Keratoconus Fitting

What is Keratoconus?

The cornea is the clear outer layer of the front of your eye. Normally around and shaped like a dome, the cornea is the window that lets in light and focuses it on your retina (the back surface of your eye). Keratoconus causes the cornea to become thin and it creates a steeper shape compared to a normal cornea. When the corneal surface thins, it can bulge out in an irregular cone shape – a condition diagnosed as Keratoconus. Because the shape of the front surface of the eye is now irregular, it cannot focus light properly on the back of the eye. This results in a blurry, distorted vision. Luckily, specialty contact lenses can help re-focus the light. This results in a large improvement in visual quality. Specialty contact lenses are required for most Keratoconus patients to see their best.

Causes of Keratoconus

While we don’t know why people develop Keratoconus, it is associated with allergies, excessive rubbing, and various disorders like Marfan syndrome and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. In about 10% of cases, it appears to be genetic. Early onset can happen as young as ten years old, however, it is most commonly found in teens and people in their early 20s. The condition usually progresses over decades, but can also worsen quickly. Newer equipment options have given doctors the ability to diagnose keratoconus faster than ever before.

Keratoconus Treatments

Corneal cross-linking and Intacs are surgical options for some keratoconus patients to help slow down the progression of the disease. Almost all keratoconus patients will require specialty contact lenses to improve their vision, even if they’ve had surgery. Innovative options such as gas permeable, hybrid, and scleral lenses can provide a drastic visual improvement. In late-stage keratoconus, or those with scar tissue, you may need a corneal transplant. After a transplant, a specialty contact lens may improve your vision.

Specialty Contact Lenses

Most Keratoconus patients require specialty contact lenses to improve their vision. Regular glasses and soft contact lenses usually do not provide clear vision, due to the shape of the eye that comes with Keratoconus. Luckily, custom contact lenses provide an excellent option for keratoconus patients. These specially designed lenses can re-direct the image to focus properly within the eye, yielding a tremendous improvement in vision. Options include custom soft lenses, hybrid lenses, gas permeable lenses, and scleral lenses.

What Are Keratoconus Symptoms?

When your cornea distorts into a corn shape, it can cause a number of symptoms in the form of distorted vision and eye discomfort. The most common complaints are:

  • Blurry vision

  • Shadowy or double-vision

  • Fluctuating vision

  • Vision distortions like straight lines that look wavy or that bend

  • Light sensitivity

  • Glare

  • Difficulties with night vision

  • Swollen, red, uncomfortable eyes

In many cases, the condition affects each eye differently. Keratoconus is a progressive disease, meaning that it will worsen over time. The shape of the eye will continue to change unless action is taken (such as corneal cross-linking). If you are diagnosed with keratoconus at a young age, cross-linking is recommended to slow down the progression of keratoconus. Because the eye naturally becomes harder/stiffer over time, older patients may not need this type of surgical intervention. Your eye doctor is the best person to help you make the best decision for your unique situation.

Scleral Contact Lenses

Many keratoconus patients find major success with scleral contact lenses. Scleral contact lenses have given doctors the ability to fit even the most complicated keratoconus cases. Since the lens does not balance on the cornea, they do not dislodge like corneal gas permeable lenses. Scleral lenses use the white part of the eye (called the sclera) to rest on, so the comfort of the lenses is very good. Scleral lenses are made of hyper gas permeable material, which allows oxygen into your eye. This material helps to re-direct the light that comes into your eye, resulting in a much clearer image. Many keratoconus patients find scleral lenses to be comfortable and provide excellent vision.

Why Visioncare Associates for Keratoconus Treatments?

We are highly proficient in specialty contact lenses. Keratoconus patients make up more than 70% of our entire patient base. We have created customized contact lens solutions for thousands of patients. There is truly no substitute for experience. Our innovative contact lens technologies for treating keratoconus give you vision improvement unattainable with conventional methods. Our doctors are opinion leaders within the field of specialty contact lenses and treating keratoconus. Leading specialty contact lens manufacturers work closely with us in developing advanced emerging technologies. We know eye care isn’t just about technology, but is about you as a person. Expect one-on-one attention with the doctor at every single visit. We are committed to giving you the highest level of service to create an unparalleled patient experience.

Video References

Frequently Asked Questions About Keratoconus

Why do I have keratoconus?

We still aren’t sure why keratoconus happens, but we do know that genetics and environment play a role. Eye rubbing is heavily associated with keratoconus patients. If you rub your eyes- STOP! This is one of the main risk factors for keratoconus.

Are there treatment options to help keratoconus?

Yes, corneal crosslinking is an FDA-approved surgical option indicated to slow the progression of Keratoconus. Early intervention is key. The faster you can get the surgery, the faster you can slow it down or stop the progression. There are other surgical options such as Intacs, which are small plastic segments inserted into the cornea, however, crosslinking has become the preferred Keratoconus treatment for most eye doctors.

Will I need to get crosslinking again?

Hopefully not. Most patients will only need crosslinking once in their Lifetime.

How do I know which type of corneal crosslinking to choose?

There are 2 corneal crosslinking options, epi-on and epi-off. There are pros and cons to each. It is too difficult to make a strong argument for one over the other. The surgeon will review your age, Keratoconus condition, overall health, financial situation, current medicines, lifestyle, and more. All of these will play a role in deciding which option is best for you. Find a corneal surgeon who is an expert in corneal crosslinking and have them help you decide.

Why can’t I just wear glasses?

Keratoconus causes the front surface of your eye to steepen, which results in an irregular shape. When an image comes into the eye, it is distorted by this irregular shape. The end result is a blurry image. Glasses cannot help this type of irregular prescription, called irregular astigmatism. Specialty contact lenses are usually the best option to improve the vision of Keratoconus patients.

Can I get LASIK or some other type of surgery to improve my vision?

Unfortunately, no. Refractive surgery such as LASIK is not an option for any patients with Keratoconus. In fact, if you get LASIK surgery and you have Keratoconus, you could end up with even worse vision!

Will I pass this down to my kids?

It’s possible. Because Keratoconus has a genetic component, your children should be screened at regular intervals. If your kids rub their eyes excessively, they will be at even higher risk.

What kind of contact lenses do I need to improve my vision if I have keratoconus?

Traditional soft contact lenses will not help to improve your vision, in most cases. More custom options such as custom soft lenses for keratoconus, corneal gas permeable lenses, hybrid lenses, or scleral lenses are usually the best contact lens options. Find an eye doctor who is an expert in fitting keratoconus patients. They will be able to evaluate your eye condition and your lifestyle to make appropriate recommendations.

Can’t Wait to See the World Clearly?