What You Need to Know About Keratoconus

When is the last time you visited the dentist for a dental cleaning?  It may seem like a strange question coming from the Eye Care Institute, but stay with us. Daily dental care and yearly dental cleanings act as a preventive measure to help catch potential problems. It makes sense, right? With that in mind, ask yourself, when was the last time you visited an eye care professional? Like dental visits, regular eye exams help catch any problems that could develop with your eyes throughout your lifetime. One of those problems is Keratoconus. Let’s discuss what you need to know about this eye condition and if you should visit your eye care professional this week to determine if you are suffering from it.

What is Keratoconus?

Normally, the cornea is shaped like a dome or ball. When you have Keratoconus, the protein structures that hold the shape of the cornea lose their strength, resulting in a cone shaped cornea. Keratoconus develops when protective antioxidants in the cornea decrease. Without these antioxidants, the cornea is left unprotected and weakens, resulting in a bulging cone shape.

It is common for Keratoconus to run in families. If you have kids, make sure you’ve had them checked for Keratoconus beginning at age 10. Those with certain medication conditions may see Keratoconus progress quickly. Keratoconus often starts before the age of 30 and most often develops in the teen years. The changes that occur with the onset of Keratoconus can happen quickly or take years to show up. Let’s review some of the symptoms to determine if you may be suffering from Keratoconus.

Symptoms of Keratoconus

If you think you have any of these symptoms, schedule an eye exam as soon as you can so you can be properly diagnosed by a professional.

• Seeing double or triple ghost images
• Uncomfortable when driving, particularly at night due to blurry vision
• Most objects near or far look extremely distorted
• Double vision in one eye
• An abrupt change in vision
• Streaking Lights

Arrange a consultation

At the Eye Care Institute, we look forward to helping you address any current or potential eye problems. Schedule your eye exam today to determine if you indeed have Keratoconus. You can reach our friendly staff by calling (707) 546-9800.