Specialty Contact Lenses/Keratoconus

What is Keratoconus?

The cornea, which covers the outside of your eye, has a clear, dome-like shape that is essential for normal vision. The cornea’s rounded shape precisely bends light so it’s focused directly on the center of your retina.

Keratoconus is an eye condition in which the cornea gradually becomes thinner. As a result, the middle of the cornea begins to bulge out from the eye, and the once-round cornea assumes the shape of a cone. The condition progressively worsens over time, affecting your vision.

What are the Symptoms of Keratoconus?

Keratoconus typically affects both eyes, but each eye can worsen at a different rate and have its own symptoms.

When keratoconus is in its early stage, you may experience:

• Mild, blurry vision
• Distorted vision (straight lines look wavy)
• Sensitivity to light
• Redness
• Swelling

As your condition worsens, you may develop nearsightedness or astigmatism. If you already have eyeglasses or contact lenses, you’ll find that you need new prescriptions more frequently.

Keratoconus usually progresses at a slow pace. However, in some patients it rapidly worsens, causing sudden swelling and scarring that seriously affects your vision.

It’s important to never rub your eyes when you have keratoconus. Your corneal tissue is so thin and fragile that even gentle rubbing can cause damage. If you have eye allergies or itchy eyes for any reason, call Bronx Eye Associates to get medication to relieve your itchiness.

What are Scleral Contact Lenses?

Scleral contact lenses are rigid gas permeable lenses that are large enough to go over the bulging cornea and rest on the whites of your eyes. When you wear these lenses, they take over the job of your irregularly shaped cornea.

The perfectly rounded surface of your scleral lens bends light the way the cornea should, which in turn corrects your vision.

The space between the scleral lens and your cornea becomes a fluid reservoir. As a result, people who had dry eyes and couldn’t tolerate contact lenses can comfortably wear scleral lenses.

Are There Other Treatments for Keratoconus?

During the early stages, eyeglasses may be enough to correct your vision. As your keratoconus becomes moderate to severe, scleral contact lenses are the next line of treatment.

If scleral lenses don’t restore your vision, your only remaining options are surgical procedures such as implanting corneal rings that flatten the bulge, collagen cross-linking to strengthen the cornea, or a corneal implant.

When you notice any changes in your vision or your eyes become itchy, call Bronx Eye Associates or book an appointment online.