keratoconus

Keratoconus is a condition where the cornea, the front lens of the eye, suffers from an irregular shape that appears microscopically as a cone or bulge. Since the cornea is the primary light-focusing lens of the eye, any irregularity of the cornea can have significant visual blurring effects.

In the early stages, which often start in the teens or twenties, vision becomes slightly blurred as the eye prescription shows increased amounts of astigmatism. In some cases, the eye may exhibit light sensitivity or poor clarity even when glasses or contacts are worn.

Keratoconus can advance for ten or twenty years before stabilizing, and moderate cases will become significantly blurry. These eyes often need special vision correction, including specially fit rigid contact lenses, to provide the best clarity.

In severe cases, the visual blur is so significant that the person is unable to see clearly with any lenses. Often the cornea stretches to a point that causes pain and discomfort that is continuous, and eventually, scarring can develop. There is no treatment that can prevent this stage of the condition. If the cornea becomes so abnormal, a corneal transplant procedure is the only potential remedy.

Eye doctors have specialized computers that can measure the detailed shape and curvature of the cornea. In any eye examination where irregular vision is detected, these tests will be done. People with keratoconus can have very normal visual lives. However, laser vision correction should be avoided since it may further deteriorate the corneal shape.