Keratoconus is an eye disease that causes the cornea to thin and change shape which can lead to vision problems. At Arvada Optometric Center in CO, we are ophthalmology specialists who treat and provide treatment for many eye conditions, including keratoconus. Let's explore more about the condition.
Symptoms of Keratoconus
Several conditions could indicate you may have keratoconus. They include:
- Blurry vision
- Halos around lights
- Sensitivity to light
- Difficulty seeing at night
- Distorted or multiple images in one eye
- Changing eyeglass or contact lens prescription often
If you experience any of these symptoms, make an appointment with us. We can perform a complete eye exam to determine whether keratoconus is causing your issues or something else.
Causes of Keratoconus
There is no exact cause of the condition. However, it is believed to be a combination of genetics and environmental factors. Keratoconus can also be caused by rubbing your eyes vigorously or using abrasive eye makeup. It can cause the collagen protein fibers in your eyes to weaken, allowing the cornea to bulge in a cone shape.
Treating Keratoconus
The most common treatment for keratoconus is wearing corrective lenses, either eyeglasses or contact lenses. If the condition progresses, you may need a corneal transplant, which is a procedure in which a surgeon will replace your cornea with one from a donor.
We may also look at providing you with special soft contact lenses called scleral lenses. These lenses are large and rest on the white part of your eye. They help to evenly distribute pressure on your cornea, which can slow down the progression of keratoconus.
Rigid gas permeable lenses can also help with keratoconus because they allow oxygen to flow through the lens and it helps with irregularly shaped corneas. Hybrid lenses are another option. They have a gas-permeable center with a soft skirt. This provides the benefits of both types of lenses.
Finally, we may also look at corneal cross-linking. This process helps add collagen fibers to your eye to strengthen the cornea.
Contact An Optometry Specialist at Arvada Optometric Center for Keratoconus Treatment
Early detection of the condition is best for treating it. It can be highly treatable, and you can live a normal life, as long as you seek treatment immediately. Call Arvada Optometric Center today at (303) 578-2982">(303) 578-2982 for more information or to schedule an appointment with our eye doctor.
