Keratoconus
Keratoconus is one of the many eye diseases that we treat at ClearView Eyecare in Bellingham, WA. This condition occurs when the cornea becomes thin gradually, bulges outward, and forms a cone-line shape. While Keratoconus is common, the cause of the condition is unknown. It usually begins during the teenage years and can slowly progress into the twenties. Some of the possible causes of Keratoconus are environmental factors, genetics, eczema, and asthma.
Symptoms of Keratoconus
Patients with Keratoconus experience specific symptoms, which may vary as the condition progresses. Some of these may include:
Changing glasses prescription frequently
Increased glare and light sensitivity
Distorted or blurry vision
Swollen and red eyes
Halos and streaks around lights
Difficulty when driving at night
The condition can affect the whole cornea, usually resulting in astigmatism and myopia. Astigmatism is an eye defect that makes images appear distorted since the light rays cannot converge at a common point. Myopia causes objects to look clear when they are close and blurry if they are far away. If you notice these symptoms, visit us for an extensive eye exam at ClearView Eyecare in Northern Washington.
Diagnosis
Our optometrists usually use corneal topography to diagnose keratoconus. This allows our team to view the thickness and shape of your cornea. Once a photo of your cornea is taken, we will examine it closely. We’ll also do this procedure every time you visit us to monitor the condition. Our optometrists also use keratometry, slit-lamp examination, and eye refraction tests to help detect keratoconus.
Treatment
Keratoconus is typically treatment with contact lenses or spectacles. You might also choose a more invasive treatment, such as cornea-cross linking, which hardens the cornea to stop the condition from progressing. The procedure includes UV radiation and vitamin B2, also known as riboflavin drops, on the affected part of the eye to harden the collagen fibers. This treatment cannot reverse the condition but can prevent vision loss.
Other possible treatments include phakic intraocular lenses and intrastromal corneal ring segments. The phakic intraocular lens treatment involves implanting a silicone or plastic lens into the eye without removing the natural lens. Intrastromal corneal ring segments entail inserting tiny rings into the cornea to flatten it and improve vision. When lenses and glasses are not effective for the condition, our optometrists may recommend a cornea transplant. With this treatment, the damaged part of the cornea will be taken out and replaced with a healthy cornea from a donor. At our optometry practice in Bellingham, we successfully treat keratoconus using the latest methods available.
Contact us for Treatment Today
If you are searching for an experienced and dedicated Bellingham Optometrist who can treat keratoconus, our team at ClearView Eyecare in Bellingham, WA, can help. We will develop a well-rounded treatment plan that can slow the progression and improve your vision. Call us today at (360) 392-8306 to schedule your appointment.