Keratoconus
Keratoconus is a progressive eye condition in which the normally dome-shaped cornea, the clear front surface of the eye, gradually thins and bulges outward into a cone-like shape. This structural change distorts vision significantly as the cornea's regular curvature plays a crucial role in focusing light properly onto the retina. Keratoconus typically begins during adolescence or early adulthood and may progress for several decades before stabilizing. At Caruana Eye Care in Oakland Park, Florida, Dr. Albert Caruana’s comprehensive evaluation and management of keratoconus helps patients maintain the best possible vision throughout the condition's course.
Recognizing Keratoconus Symptoms
Early signs of keratoconus often include mild blurring of vision and increased sensitivity to light and glare. Many patients notice frequent changes in eyeglass prescriptions and find that new prescriptions don't provide the clear vision expected. As the condition progresses, symptoms may include increasingly distorted vision in which straight lines appear wavy, difficulty driving at night, eye strain, headaches, eye irritation, and excessive rubbing.
Patients with keratoconus may notice their vision gets worse progressively and glasses may not actually help improve their vision anymore. Many keratoconus patients require contact lenses to improve their vision. As the disease worsens, the cornea can develop such an abnormal shape that contacts become difficult to wear. As the condition progresses to later stages, the cornea can become scarred and hazy and require corneal transplantation surgery to restore vision. Fortunately, there are now options to help stabilize keratoconus in earlier stages to help affected patients maintain clear vision.
The condition typically affects both eyes, though one eye may have more advanced progression than the other. This asymmetry often creates challenges with depth perception and visual processing that extend beyond simple refractive errors.
Diagnosis Through Advanced Technology
Diagnosing keratoconus involves specialized testing at our Oakland Park, Florida, ophthalmology office that maps the cornea's surface in remarkable detail. Corneal topography and tomography create precise three-dimensional models of the cornea, revealing the characteristic thinning and irregular shape even in early stages before symptoms become pronounced. Additional measurements of corneal biomechanics help assess the structural properties of the corneal tissue itself.
These advanced diagnostic technologies not only confirm the diagnosis but also track progression over time, informing decisions about appropriate interventions at each stage. Early detection proves particularly valuable, as newer treatments can help slow or halt progression before significant visual impairment develops.
Treatment Options Across the Spectrum
Treatments for keratoconus vary based on the condition's severity and progression rate. In early stages, specialized contact lenses, including rigid gas permeable lenses, scleral lenses, or hybrid designs, often provide excellent vision correction by creating a regular optical surface that compensates for the cornea's irregularity.
For progressive keratoconus, corneal cross-linking represents a significant advancement that strengthens corneal tissue through a combination of riboflavin (vitamin B2) drops and controlled ultraviolet light exposure. This outpatient procedure at Caruana Eye Care creates additional bonds between collagen fibers in the cornea, effectively stabilizing the condition and preventing further deterioration.
In advanced cases when contact lenses no longer provide adequate vision, surgical options may include intracorneal ring segments that reshape the cornea or, in severe cases, corneal transplantation. Fortunately, early diagnosis and intervention with modern treatments like corneal cross-linking have significantly reduced the need for transplantation in recent years.
Get Answers about Keratoconus
Regular monitoring remains essential throughout life, as keratoconus management evolves with the condition's progression and new treatment options continue to develop. If you’ve been diagnosed with keratoconus or you’re experiencing eye health problems and don’t know why, schedule an appointment with Dr. Albert Caruana in Oakland Park, Florida. We’ll help you figure out what’s going on and how to best correct your vision. Call Caruana Eye Care, an ophthalmology practice, at (954) 488-2020.
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Monday
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Tuesday
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(954) 488-2020