Keratoconus affects your eyesight in many ways. If keratoconus is having the better of you, please book an appointment with Advanced Family Eye Care PC for treatment. We serve many locations, including St. Joseph, South Haven, Benton Harbor, and Stevensville, MI. following are the answers to several questions our eye doctor frequently receives regarding this condition.
What is Keratoconus?
Keratoconus is an eye condition that worsens gradually by turning your rounded cornea into a bulging dome shape. To understand how Keratoconus affects your vision, let’s look at the functions of the cornea. This transparent, front part of the eye:
- Controls and focuses the entry of light into the eye. The cornea controls 60-70% of the eye’s light focus.
- Protect your eyes from dirt, harmful UV rays, germs, and other debris.
For keratoconus patients, light bends in an unusual way in the cornea, leading to visual impairment. If you have keratoconus, simple tasks like reading, driving, and watching TV can be difficult.
What Causes Keratoconus?
The exact cause of keratoconus isn’t known. However, we know that it occurs when there is impaired development of the collagen protein fibers in the eye. When the collagen fibers weaken, this may cause the cornea to lose its shape. But what causes the collagen fibers to weaken?
One possible cause could be the free radicals in your eyes. You see, your eye produces harmful products known as “free radicals. “The antioxidants in your body should get rid of free radicals, but patients with keratoconus don’t produce enough antioxidants. The constant rubbing of the eyes and genetics are also linked to keratoconus.
What are the Symptoms of Keratoconus?
Most keratoconus symptoms appear in patients in their late teens or early twenties. The early symptoms include slightly distorted vision and light sensitivity. The other symptoms that manifest as the disease progresses include:
- Frequent headaches
- Nighttime halos
- Double vision with one eye closed
- Clouding of vision in one eye that clears after weeks
In advanced keratoconus, you may experience superficial scarring, worsening the visual impairment. As you can see, keratoconus symptoms may mimic other eye conditions. So, if you find yourself with any symptoms of keratoconus, please book an appointment with an optometrist for proper diagnosis and treatment.
Can Both Eyes be Affected by Keratoconus?
In almost 90% of keratoconus cases, the condition manifests in both eyes. However, the rate of progression may be different in each eye.
How is Keratoconus Treated?
Depending on the type of your keratoconus, your eye doctor may prescribe any of the treatments below:
- Standard eyeglasses for mild keratoconus
- Scleral contact lenses
- Custom soft lenses
- Hybrid lenses
- Surgery (keratoplasty)
Schedule an Appointment with Our Optometry Professionals in St. Joseph, South Haven, Benton Harbor, and Stevensville, MI
Call Advanced Family Eye Care PC today at (844) 398-4022 for more information or to schedule an appointment with our eye doctor.