Why You Should Never Ignore Keratoconus

Your eye health is important. Many problematic eye conditions can only be detected through regular and comprehensive eye exams. One of those conditions is called keratoconus. The experienced doctors at Schwartz Laser Eye Center specialize in treating eye keratoconus. They have treated keratoconus since 2010 making them one of, if not the most, experienced providers in the valley. Here, Dr. Jay L. Schwartz explains why you should never ignore keratoconus.

What Is Keratoconus?

The cornea is the transparent part of the eye that covers the iris and the pupil. It helps the eye focus light for clear vision. The cornea is normally round. Keratoconus occurs when the cornea thins out and bulges like a cone. The change in the shape of the cornea causes vision to become blurry and distorted. This can make everyday tasks like reading and driving difficult.

Keratoconus is a progressive condition. If you suffer from keratoconus, you may notice the following symptoms:

• Blurred vision
• Sensitivity to bright lights
• Eye redness or swelling
• Sudden prescription changes
• Poor night vision
• Double vision
• Halos around lights
• Contacts no longer fit properly

Why You Should Never Ignore Keratoconus

You should schedule regular eye exams to preserve your eye health. If you have been diagnosed with keratoconus or are experiencing any of the above symptoms, schedule an eye exam with your doctor immediately. You should never ignore keratoconus. If you ignore keratoconus, you risk permanent vision loss.

The sooner you schedule an eye exam for your keratoconus, the sooner you can explore treatment options and get your vision back on track.

How Is Keratoconus Treated?

If diagnosed early, keratoconus is a condition that is highly treatable. Keratoconus treatment focuses on vision improvement and slowing its progression. In the early stages of keratoconus patients may be able to use glasses or contact lenses to improve vision.

As keratoconus progresses, patients may need to explore additional treatment options. Patients who suffer from progressive keratoconus may benefit from corneal crosslinking. Corneal crosslinking repairs the cornea by creating new bonds between the collagen crosslinks in the tissue. Corneal crosslinking cannot reverse the effects of keratoconus. However, it can stop the disease’s progression, ensuring that patients won’t experience further vision loss. It is one of the most effective treatments for keratoconus.

Another treatment option for keratoconus is corneal transplant. This may be an option for patients with very advanced keratoconus.

Schedule Your Eye Exam Today

The only way to know whether you have keratoconus is through a comprehensive eye exam. Don’t delay; contact Schwartz Laser Eye Center serving Scottsdale, Glendale, Phoenix and Mesa today. Schedule your eye exam by calling (480) 483-3937 or filling out our online contact form.