Keratoconus

Keratoconus is a common condition that affects about one in every 1,000 people. There’s no cure, but specialty contact lenses can prevent the problem from worsening and preserve your vision. At Focus Refined Eye Care, with offices in The Heights and Montrose neighborhoods of Houston, Texas, general and medical optometrist Bimal Patel, OD, offers cutting-edge care for keratoconus with specialty contact lenses and surgical referrals. Call Focus Refined Eye Care to make an appointment, or book your visit online today. 

Is my child’s vision loss due to keratoconus?

It’s possible. Keratoconus is a degenerative disease that causes the cornea, which is normally ball-shaped, to bulge outward and form a cone. It’s usually detected in teenagers and young adults experiencing vision loss. 

Don’t wait to make an appointment at Focus Refined Eye Care if you or your child is experiencing vision changes. Diagnosis and treatment slow keratoconus’s progression, ensuring your eyes stay healthy. 

What are the symptoms of keratoconus?

Keratoconus symptoms include:

• Low or blurred vision in both eyes
• Double vision in one eye
• Halos around bright lights
• Vision distortions

Experts aren’t sure what causes keratoconus, but genetics may play a role. For example, your child is more likely to develop it if you or your partner has it.

How does an optometrist diagnose keratoconus?

Dr. Patel reviews your or your child’s medical records, asks about your symptoms, and completes a comprehensive eye exam. During the exam, he completes several tests, including:

Topography

Dr. Patel conducts a topography test with the ZEISS i.Profiler® Plus wavefront topography system. This noninvasive test measures the curvature of the surfaces of your eyes. These changes are very noticeable during topography screening. 

Keratometry

During this test, Dr. Patel focuses a bright light on the center of your cornea. He then measures the reflection, which helps him assess its shape. 

Slit lamp test

Dr. Patel uses a low-powered microscope to view the structures at the front of your eye, including the lens and cornea. It lets him evaluate the shape of your cornea and look for other potential problems.

How is keratoconus treated?

At Focus Refined Eye Care, Dr. Patel offers several types of keratoconus treatment. He might suggest:

• Eyeglasses or soft contact lenses
• Specialty contact lenses that help maintain the shape of the cornea
• Hybrid lenses that have a hard center and a soft outer ring
• Scleral lenses that cover the whites of your eyes

Dr. Patel does provide orthokeratology or ortho-k, which may be effective for keratoconus. Ortho-k uses special contacts to gently reshape the cornea. You or your child wear these contacts during sleep.

In severe keratoconus cases, Dr. Patel recommends surgery. If he determines that you can benefit from surgery, Dr. Patel coordinates your care with a surgical team.

The surgical team can perform corneal cross-linking. During corneal cross-linking, a surgeon administers special eye drops to stiffen your cornea and prevent further shape changes. Then, they shine an ultraviolet light directly at your cornea. This causes new collagen fibers to form inside your cornea, making it stiffer and stronger. Corneal cross-linking is an effective treatment for preventing keratoconus-related vision loss.

Call Focus Refined Eye Care to schedule keratoconus treatment, or book your appointment online today.