Patients can develop multiple eye conditions, and one of them is called keratoconus. It can have several effects on a patient's vision. It typically begins when a patient is young and can cause many symptoms and vision issues. To get this condition diagnosed and treated, you need an optometrist to give you an eye exam. In addition, those with this condition want contact lenses and may require custom or hard-to-fit contacts. When it's time for you to see the optometrist, call us at our Wilkes Barre, PA, office to schedule your appointment. Read below to discover more about keratoconus and its dangers.
Keratoconus Basics
This eye condition changes the shape of the cornea. A cornea is a clear, dome-shaped tissue in the eye's middle. It's a barrier tissue that keeps things like debris and dirt out of the eye, keeping germs from getting through. When this tissue gets thinner and thinner, this is the beginning of keratoconus. As it thins out, it will begin to get bulge in it. Over time, that bulge will start to be cone-shaped. As the cone-shape forms, vision will get blurry, and they will have more light sensitivity. The condition generally begins in patients anywhere from 10 to 25. It can progress slowly over at least ten years, worsening as time progresses.
Keratoconus Stages
When keratoconus begins, it usually progresses slowly. Regular contact lenses can correct the patient's vision when this early stage is in effect. As things get worse, they will need hard-to-fit contacts or custom contacts to account for the bulging shape of the cornea. Sometimes people need scleral lenses. The patient may need a corneal transplant when the keratoconus gets more pronounced. Other treatments may be possible, and these can slow down the condition's progression.
Get Care for Your Keratoconus
The optometrist needs to monitor the progression of this condition. No matter which type of contact lenses you need, we can help. Call our Wilkes Barre, PA office to get your appointment. It's essential to have an eye exam once a year and come in when your eyes change. Contact us today by calling (570) 208-1111 to schedule an appointment. Remember to speak with your optometrist if you have any other questions. We look forward to assisting you with what you require.