Book an appointment if your glasses prescription changes quickly or your vision becomes distorted.
What is keratoconus?
The cornea is the clear front window of the eye. In keratoconus its structure weakens, so it becomes thinner and changes shape from a round dome to a cone. The disease usually affects both eyes, though often to different degrees, and typically progresses from the teenage years until it stabilises around the age of 30–40.
Symptoms
- Blurred and distorted vision at all distances
- Frequent changes of glasses prescription and increasing astigmatism
- Sensitivity to light, glare and double outlines around lights
Who gets keratoconus?
- Young people, often with allergies, asthma or eczema
- People who rub their eyes a lot
- Keratoconus in the family
Do not rub your eyes
Rubbing is one of the most important factors in keratoconus getting worse. Treat itching and allergy instead of rubbing.
Examination and treatment
The diagnosis is made by measuring the shape and thickness of the cornea. Treatment depends on how advanced the disease is:
- Glasses or soft lenses in the early stages
- Specially fitted rigid or scleral contact lenses when glasses do not give good enough vision
- Cross-linking, in which the cornea is strengthened with vitamin B2 drops and UV light to stop progression. Done at a specialist department
- Corneal transplant in rare, advanced cases
It is important to monitor progression with regular measurements, so cross-linking can be given in time.
This text is general information and does not replace an examination. If you are unsure about your symptoms, call us.