What is keratoconus? What are the treatment options?

Keratoconus causes progressive thinning of the cornea. The cornea is the clear window at the front of the eye, which focuses light onto the retina. The cornea is normally smooth and dome-shaped. However, in keratoconus, it becomes very thin, irregular, and starts to protrude like a cone. This causes blurred vision that is often not correctable with glasses. Keratoconus usually involves both eyes, however one eye may be more advanced than the other.

Vision can initially be corrected with glasses or contact lenses, but as the condition progresses, these no longer afford good vision, and a corneal transplant may be recommended.

Keratoconus is best detected early, as there is effective treatment available to halt its progression and maintain good vision. This treatment is called corneal collagen cross-linking, which is effective in the vast majority.

Read more about keratoconus at Forest Eye Surgery.