Corneal Disease
Keratoconus — Diagnosis & Management
Keratoconus is progressive thinning and bulging of the cornea — causing irregular astigmatism that glasses cannot correct. Specialty lenses and corneal cross-linking are the primary treatments.
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Signs & Symptoms
- Progressive blurring and distortion of vision
- Frequent glasses prescription changes
- Glare and halos
- Vision that is not correctable to 20/20 with glasses
- Light sensitivity
What Causes This?
- Genetic predisposition
- Eye rubbing — most controllable risk factor
- Atopic disease (allergies, eczema) associated
- Collagen abnormality causing corneal weakening
Treatment Options
Scleral Contact Lenses
Vault over the irregular cornea — providing dramatically superior vision quality.
RGP Contact Lenses
For earlier keratoconus — rigid lens surface corrects irregular astigmatism.
Corneal Cross-Linking (CXL)
UV light and riboflavin strengthen corneal collagen — halting progression. Refer to cornea specialist.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can keratoconus lead to blindness?
Keratoconus rarely causes total blindness, but can cause significant functional vision loss without treatment. Most patients maintain functional vision with specialty lenses.
Related Topics
Concerned About Your Eye Health?
Schedule a comprehensive eye exam with Dr. Kentaro Yamada, M.D. at Hillcrest Eye Care.