KeratoconusRaleigh & Oxford, NC

Keratoconus is an inherited disease that distorts the shape of the cornea, the light-focusing window in the front of the eye. As the condition progresses, the traditionally dome-shaped cornea becomes thinner and takes on a cone-like contour. This deformity bends the light as it enters the eye, causing a blurry image.

What Is Keratoconus?

The corneas are normally dome-shaped. With keratoconus, a progressive eye condition, the cornea thins and begins to devolve into a cone shape that prevents proper vision. The abnormal corneal shape distorts and blurs images while increasing sensitivity to light, as it prevents light from focusing properly on the retina. Keratoconus typically occurs in one’s teens or early adulthood and can gradually worsen over time.

In the beginning stages of keratoconus, patients may be able to offset their vision issues with glasses or contact lenses. However, as the ailment gets worse, it may be increasingly difficult to achieve crisp, clear eyesight with standard lenses. At that point, patients can opt for rigid gas-permeable or scleral lenses, which provide a smooth optical surface superimposed on the irregular cornea.

Dr. Vinod Jindal and Sumeet Jindal in suits

Meet Dr. Vinod Jindal and Dr. Sumeet Jindal – Board-Certified, Fellowship-Trained Eye Care Experts in North Carolina

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What Causes Keratoconus?

Most experts agree that the cause of keratoconus is related to both genetic and environmental factors. The disease can run in families, and individual genetic mutations can increase the risk of developing the condition. Bad habits, such as excessively rubbing one’s eyes or overexposure to UV rays, have also been linked to the development of keratoconus.

What Are the Symptoms of Keratoconus?

Keratoconus can affect both eyes, although the disease typically impacts one eye worse than the other. Symptoms may be different in each eye as well. Early signs of keratoconus may include:

Slightly blurry vision
Mild distortions in vision, such as wavy or bent lines
Heightened sensitivity to glare and light
Redness, itching, or irritation in the eyes

As the disease progresses, later-stage symptoms may include the following:

Cloudier, more distorted vision
Pronounced nearsightedness or astigmatism
Dramatically shifting eyeglass prescriptions
Difficulty in using contact lenses
Blindness

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How Is Keratoconus Treated?

In the past, treatments for keratoconus were limited and involved specialized contact lenses or invasive corneal transplants that came with various side effects.

Today, there are several innovative and unique possibilities for enhancing vision without invasive transplantation surgery.

Our team at New Century Ophthalmology offers corneal collagen crosslinking, which can help stabilize the disease before it gets worse. Other possibilities are the implantation of Intacs or CAIRS, which are ring-like inserts that remodel the corneal surface, leading to clearer eyesight and enhanced quality of life. Where Intacs are engineered with artificial acrylic, CAIRS are made with biocompatible donor tissue.

Get Started With Keratoconus Treatment in Raleigh Today!

If you are concerned about signs of keratoconus, contact New Century Ophthalmology today to book your private consultation with our world-renowned, fellowship-trained eye care experts, Dr. Vinod Jindal and Dr. Sumeet Jindal. Our team is excited to answer all your questions with care and sincerity, preparing a customized treatment plan to help you regain your peace of mind and overall quality of life. Call today to get started!

Keratoconus FAQ

How Is Keratoconus Diagnosed?

Keratoconus can be diagnosed in the following manner:

An optometrist uses eye refraction to assess your vision issues
Your eye doctor can perform a keratometry, involving a circle of light focused onto the cornea to evaluate its shape
A slit-lamp exam can be performed using a microscope and a vertical light beam
Corneal mapping relies on specialized optical coherence tomography and corneal topography to calculate the shape of the cornea
A pachymetry test will assess corneal thickness

Does Keratoconus Cause Eye Pain?

Yes, keratoconus can sometimes cause discomfort in the eyes. If you experience sudden eye pain of any sort, immediately contact your eye specialist.

Can Keratoconus Go Away On Its Own?

No. Keratoconus is a lifelong disease that will get worse if left untreated. In severe instances, patients may need a corneal graft to treat their condition. Less severe cases can be helped by wearing specialized contact lenses (hard, piggyback, hybrid, or scleral). Other treatments include corneal crosslinking and intac and CAIRS insertion.

Can Keratoconus Cause Dry Eye?

Yes. Because the corneas have an irregular shape with keratoconus, it can be more difficult for tears to properly lubricate the eyes. This in turn can lead to dry eye. Wearing contact lenses can further prevent proper eye lubrication.

Is Keratoconus Always Progressive?

Yes, keratoconus typically worsens with time. Treatments like CXL, intacs, and CAIRS can halt the progression of the disease.

How Do You Measure the Severity of Keratoconus?

Your optometrist may evaluate the severity of keratoconus by assessing the steepness of your corneal cones, the thickness of the corneas, and their overall shape. They will also review your reported symptoms to make their diagnosis.

How Common Is Keratoconus?

Today, around 1 in 400 individuals may suffer from keratoconus, an increase from past decades. It is thought that diagnostic equipment has improved greatly over the years, making the condition easier to detect.