At Brinegar Eye Care in Bloomington, IN, we help with many challenging eye diseases and conditions, including keratoconus. If you suffer from this disease or are experiencing symptoms, we will provide you with a personalized plan that meets your needs and helps preserve your vision. Learn more about keratoconus below:
What is Keratoconus?
Keratoconus is a progressive eye disease that affects the cornea. It causes the cornea to thin and bulge into a cone shape. Patients with the disease experience various vision issues, including sensitivity to light, blurry or distorted vision, and blindness in extreme cases. There is no cure for keratoconus, but it can be managed with treatment, which can slow the progression and help you manage the symptoms. Keratoconus is not always painful, but the symptoms can cause severe discomfort.
Causes of Keratoconus
While there is no firm cause for the condition, it starts when the collagen fibers in the eye break down. The weakness can be caused by free radicals that cannot be eliminated by antioxidants in your eyes. When the collagen in your eye is lower, the corneas start to bulge due to their loss of strength. The disease can also be caused by excessively rubbing your eyes.
Diagnosing Keratoconus
We will perform several tests at our office to determine a diagnosis of keratoconus. Some of these exams include:
- Eye refraction to analyze your eye's perception
- Slit-lamp exam to assess the shape of your cornea
- Pachymetry to measure the thickness of the cornea
- Corneal mapping is advanced testing to map the shape of the cornea
Treating Keratoconus
Our office will provide you with several treatment options that are designed for your condition and will alleviate your symptoms. Keratoconus can only be diagnosed by a qualified optometrist who completes a comprehensive eye exam. Some options for treating keratoconus include:
- Standard or custom soft contact lenses
- Hybrid lenses
- Scleral lenses that rest on the white part of your eye
- Small rigid gas permeable lenses
Each person is different and responds differently to treatment options. You can always try another option if the initial option is not suitable for your condition.
Contact us for Treatment Today
At Brinegar Eye Care in Bloomington, IN, we understand that keratoconus can affect your daily life. Our team offers a variety of treatments that will help you manage the disease. Contact our office at (812) 339-7995 today to learn more about how we can help you with keratoconus and to schedule your appointment.