Sharing meals with family and friends is one of the highlights of the holiday season. Whether you indulge in old favorites or try new recipes, consider adding these eye-healthy foods to your holid ...View Article
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Keratoconus is a condition that affects the cornea, the transparent, dome-shaped structure on the surface of the eye. Keratoconus causes the cornea to become thinner and gradually bulge out into a cone shape. Changes in vision are common, and Dr. Mohanan can also diagnose the condition based on corneal changes. Keratoconus is a degenerative condition that can progress over the course of 10 years or more. Treatment can involve corrective lenses and even surgery.
Keratoconus can run in families, and people with certain conditions are more prone to it. These conditions include:
Most people begin to develop keratoconus symptoms between ages 10 and 25. Symptoms can include:
If you know you have astigmatism, or an abnormal curvature of the cornea, and your eyesight suddenly starts getting a lot worse very quickly, you may have keratoconus. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Mohanan right away.
Treatment for keratoconus depends on how far the condition has advanced. In the early stages of the disease, eyeglasses are enough to correct the vision changes brought on by keratoconus. As the condition progresses, however, contact lenses will become necessary.
Contact lenses help correct vision and strengthen the cornea. As corneal changes become more severe, patients will need to wear rigid, gas permeable contact lenses to support the cornea. Hybrid lenses, which have a soft outer edge and a firm center, may be more comfortable. You can also try scleral lenses, which touch the white of the eye and not the cornea. Eventually, you may need surgery to correct the shape of the cornea, or in the most severe cases, corneal transplants.
Do you know anyone who has been affected by keratoconus?