by GISELLE SANKAR, O.D.
Picture looking through a clear glass window that has slowly started to bend or warp. That once clear view has now become blurry and extremely distorted. In simple terms, this describes what individuals diagnosed with keratoconus experience. Keratoconus is a progressive eye condition that causes thinning of the cornea. The cornea plays a major role in focusing light onto the retina. A healthy cornea is supposed to be round like a basketball, but keratoconus causes the cornea to become more and more shaped like a football or cone.
Signs of keratoconus include frequent glasses changes, headaches, squinting, and an un-explained reason for vision changes. These patients also experience increased light sensitivity, glare, halos, and distorted or blurry vision. Most patients are diagnosed between the ages of 10-30 years old.
Keratoconus can be detected through a routine eye exam and can be diagnosed and monitored with a corneal topography, which maps the curvature of the cornea in detail. These scans can detect early changes before signs and symptoms become more noticeable.
Early stages of keratoconus can be treated with glasses and soft contact lenses. However, as keratoconus progresses and vision is changed, it may signify the need for hard contact lenses, which include Rigid Gas Permeable or Scleral Lenses. These lenses vault over the cornea allowing for better refraction of light onto the retina to create clearer images. Corneal Cross-Linking may be considered to slow the progression of keratoconus. It utilizes UV light and Riboflavin (Vitamin B2) to strengthen the corneal tissue. When keratoconus becomes severe, corneal transplants are often needed.
A diagnosis of keratoconus can be life altering. Therefore, it is imperative to remember that early detection is the key to preserving vision. If you or someone you know is struggling with vision changes, seek care from an eye-care provider – your eyes may be trying to tell you something.
Dr. Giselle Sankar is a board-certified optometrist who practices at the Haines City location for Eye Specialists of Mid-Florida. She is currently accepting new patients. Call 800-282-3937 or visit us online at eyesfl.com to schedule your next eye care exam.