Keratoconus

Keratoconus is a progressive disease during which the cornea - normally round and ball-shaped - thickens and changes shape, bulging and distorting into a conical shape. The irregular shape affects the way light enters the eye and hits the retina, causing distorted vision.

Symptoms of keratoconus usually begin in the teens or early twenties. Because keratoconus comes on so slowly, early signs are often difficult to detect. People with keratoconus may notice that their vision is slowly becoming distorted. Other symptoms may include double vision in one eye, glare and light sensitivity, and halos around bright lights; objects both near and far may be distorted - but not blurred - appearing with strange shapes or colors. Although symptoms may begin in one eye, usually both eyes are eventually affected.

There is no known cause of keratoconus, although genetics may be a factor. Early treatment for keratoconus includes eyeglasses and soft contact lenses. Later on, however, neither will correct vision, and rigid gas permeable contact lenses are necessary. Corrective laser surgery, such as LASIK, should never be performed on patients with even a small amount of keratoconus.

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