What is Keratoconus?

Keratoconus is an eye condition where the cornea of the eye gets thin and bulges outward into a cone shape. Nearsightedness, astigmatism, and light sensitivity go hand-in-hand with keratoconus. Generally this happens in the teens or early twenties and affects males. Additionally, it is considered a hereditary disease.

When the cornea thins it can droop and create blurred vision. Because glasses cannot support the cornea, they do not provide correction for patients with keratoconus. Contact lenses can help focus light correctly on the retina, and work to re-shape the cornea.

Rigid Gas Permeable lenses, or hard contacts, provide better vision and support for the cornea. Soft contact lenses can be worn, but do not keep the cornea from bulging over extended periods of time. If a patient wants the support of RGP’s and the comfort bliss of soft contact lenses, then your Indianapolis optometrist can piggyback the lenses. Piggybacking is placing an RGP lens on top of a soft contact lens. The soft contact lens acts as a cushion to the hard lens. Another option for treatment is surgery called corneal crosslinking. During the procedure the eye is made less flexible and formed to the proper shape for good vision.

If you think that you have the beginning signs of keratoconus, contact your optometrist as soon as possible. Dr Tavel offers convenient evening and weekend hours to try and get all of your optical issues solved as soon as possible.