Your corneas are like your eyes’ security guards, keeping out harmful invaders like germs and dirt. They also play an important role in your vision and filter out ultraviolet light.

When you have keratoconus, your corneas grow thin and bulge outward into a cone shape, leading to light sensitivity and vision problems. Thankfully, the right remedies can prevent or slow down these issues.

At Alamo Eye Care in San Antonio, Texas, Dr. Melanie Frogozo, Dr. Swati Kumar, and their expert team diagnose and treat keratoconus to reduce your symptoms and lower your risk of complications.
 

The basics of keratoconus

About 1 in 2,000 people develops keratoconus, starting between the ages of 10 and 25. From there, the disease may gradually progress for about 10 years.

While the exact cause isn’t known, keratoconus may stem from an imbalance between the creation and destruction of the eye tissue by cells in your corneas. Chronic inflammation from allergies, intense eye rubbing, a family history of keratoconus, and having Down syndrome or Ehlers-Danlos syndrome may also contribute. 

Common symptoms of keratoconus include:

• Blurry vision

• Bright light or glare sensitivity

• Changes in your lens prescriptions

• Cloudy or distorted vision

• Difficulty seeing or driving at night

• Sudden worsening of your vision
   

Diagnosing keratoconus

Remedying the effects of keratoconus starts with a comprehensive eye exam. To diagnose keratoconus or rule it out, your provider may perform:

• Corneal topography, which captures images of and maps your cornea’s curves

• A slit-lamp exam, to check for abnormalities in your corneas

• Pachymetry, which tests the thinnest parts of your corneas
   

Together, you and the provider also discuss your medical history and symptoms, including the type and how long and severe you’ve experienced them.
 

Keratoconus remedies

Your best treatment for keratoconus depends on the severity and stage of your symptoms. Your specialist at Alamo Eye Care may recommend:

• Specialty contact lenses or eyeglasses

• Corneal collagen cross-linking, which involves riboflavin eye drops and ultraviolet light 

• Corneal replacement surgery
   

Because keratoconus is a progressive disease, it’s essential that you come in for an exam once you notice symptoms. Advanced keratoconus can cause scarring on your corneas, making your vision problems worse.

With early diagnosis and care, we can help preserve your vision and lower your odds of needing surgery. After your keratoconus diagnosis, routine eye exams can help keep your treatment on track.

To learn more about keratoconus or get the treatment you need, call Alamo Eye Care at 210-469-9744 or text us at 210-403-9050. You can also request an appointment through our website.