Keratoconus is an eye health condition that affects the shape of your cornea. While most people have eyes that are round, keratoconus causes a cone-shaped eyeball. This occurs when the cornea begins to thin and bulge outward. While there isn't a cure for this condition, it is important to manage it to preserve your vision and health. At Clinton Eye Associates, serving Clinton, CT, our optometrist will diagnose your condition with an eye exam provide you with ways to manage it.
Causes of Keratoconus
Keratoconus happens when your eye bulges in the front, causing it to look more like a cone. There are no distinct causes of the condition, but there are risk factors. Researchers believe that keratoconus may come from environmental and genetic factors. For instance, if you have a family history of this condition, you're more at risk. Additionally, you're more at risk for this eye problem if you have certain conditions, including hay fever, asthma, Down syndrome, or Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.
Signs of Keratoconus
Initially, you may not notice any signs of this condition. As it progresses, though, you may notice symptoms, such as blurry vision. Some people experience distorted vision or cloudy vision.
With this condition, your eyes might be sensitive to glare and bright light. These issues could interfere with your ability to drive at night safely.
Additionally, if you need to continuously update your prescription because your vision is changing, you might have keratoconus or another condition.
Diagnosing Keratoconus
If you are experiencing symptoms of this condition, our optometrist will perform an eye exam. We can also detect keratoconus early during a routine vision. We will review information from previous visits and look for any frequent changes in vision. Our doctor will use tests, like a slit-lamp exam, keratometry, and computerized corneal mapping. During these tests, our eye doctor can look inside of your eye to identify changes.
How Our Optometrist Can Help
Our team will focus on slowing the progression of the condition and preserving your vision. Initially, your treatment may just consist of our eye doctor keeping up with your changing eye prescription. If you want to wear contacts, we can provide you with hard to fit lenses, like scleral contact lenses. These rest on the whites of your eyes, not your cornea, and work with an abnormally shaped eye.
Schedule an Appointment with Our Optometrist in Clinton, CT for Keratoconus Management
If you have symptoms of keratoconus, our team can help. At Clinton Eye Associates in Clinton, CT, our optometrist will perform an eye exam to find the right plan for you in preserving your vision. Call us today to schedule an appointment.