Keratoconus

What is Keratoconus?

Keratoconus is a progressive eye disorder that causes an irregular astigmatism of the cornea, the clear dome-shaped front surface of the eye. This condition is caused by weak fibers, called collagen, in the cornea. Instead of a regular spherical shape, the cornea gradually becomes more cone-shaped. This type of irregular astigmatism can lead to visual distortions that can significantly impact the overall visual acuity. Some symptoms may include:

  • Blurred vision

  • Light sensitivity

  • Glare and halos

© 2023 American Academy of Ophthalmology

What causes Keratoconus?

Keratoconus typically begins during adolescence and progresses gradually over the next several decades. Early signs of the disorder include a high astigmatism in the glasses prescription and/or blurry vision despite wearing glasses. Some risk factors that may be associated with the development of keratoconus include:

  • Genetics - other family members with the condition

  • Excessive eye rubbing - I.e. chronic allergies and/or atopy

  • After LASIK eye surgery

  • Sleep apnea

  • Connective tissue disorders

  • Down syndrome

How is keratoconus diagnosed and what is the treatment?

Regular eye examinations with an optometrist and/or ophthalmologist are essential for the diagnosis of keratoconus, as well as monitoring for any progression of the astigmatism. If suspected, your eye doctor may utilize certain diagnostic machines to determine the exact shape of your cornea. Early detection and management is key to help maintain good vision and possibly stop the disorder from progressing. Usually, mild to moderate cases can be managed with either eyeglasses or hard contact lenses to provide better vision. If the condition becomes severe, or if vision is not acceptable with hard contact lenses, then surgical interventions (i.e. corneal transplant) can be considered. In most cases, patients may be candidates for a procedure called collagen cross-linking. Collagen cross-linking is a disease-altering procedure that aims to strengthen the weak corneal collagen fibers, which can slow or even halt the progression of keratoconus.