{"id":647,"date":"2025-09-02T18:38:19","date_gmt":"2025-09-02T18:38:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/atkinsoneyecare.com\/?page_id=647"},"modified":"2025-09-02T19:28:32","modified_gmt":"2025-09-02T19:28:32","slug":"what-is-keratoconus","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/atkinsoneyecare.com\/?page_id=647","title":{"rendered":"What is Keratoconus | Our Eye Doctor Explains"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\t

WHAT IS KERATOCONUS?<\/h1>\n\t\t\t\t\"WHAT\n\t

WHAT IS KERATOCONUS?<\/strong><\/p>\n\t

Keratoconus (keh-rah-toe-cone-us) is a condition in which the structure of the cornea is not strong enough to maintain its spherical shape, causing the cornea to bulge outward into a shape resembling a cone. This leads to a host of symptoms, including blurred and double vision, as well as halos around objects and streaks of light.<\/p>\n

This rare eye condition affects 1 out of every 2,000 people<\/strong> and typically begins in the teenage years and early 20s<\/strong>, with vision deteriorating over a period of about 10 to 20 years. It’s common for people with this disease to see prescription changes with each eye exam.<\/p>\n

Keratoconus often runs in families, so if you or your children are at risk or are experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned below, contact Specialty Contact Lens Center At Atkinson Eye Care for an eye exam. Keratoconus can only be diagnosed through a thorough eye exam, where Our Eye Doctors will examine your cornea and measure its curvature.<\/p>\n

Below you’ll learn more about this condition and discover how Our Eye Doctors at Specialty Contact Lens Center At Atkinson Eye Care can offer a wide range of successful options, so you can keep enjoying clear and comfortable vision.<\/p>\n\t

WHAT CAUSES KERATOCONUS?<\/strong><\/p>\n\t

Your cornea is held in place by very small collagen fibers. When they are weakened, they cannot preserve the spherical dome-like shape of your cornea. The exact cause of keratoconus, however, is still unknown. Weakening of the cornea tends to happen in those with a genetic predisposition, which is why keratoconus may affect several people in a single family.<\/p>\n

Keratoconus has also been linked to:<\/strong><\/p>\n\t\u2714 Excessive exposure to UV rays
\n\u2714 Excessive eye rubbing
\n\u2714 Difficulty wearing contact lenses
\n\u2714 Certain eye injuries
\n\u2714 Retinitis pigmentosa
\n\u2714 Marfan syndrome
\n\u2714 Ehlers-Danlos syndrome\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSCHEDULE APPOINTMENT\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\"WHAT\n\t\t\t\t\"WHAT\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSCHEDULE APPOINTMENT\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t

SYMPTOMS OF KERATONCONUS<\/h2>\n\t

As the shape of your cornea begins to bulge, it alters your eyesight. Your normally smooth corneal surface becomes wavy and expands, becoming cone-shaped. This causes irregular astigmatism or nearsightedness. The condition tends to begin in one eye and later develops in the other eye as well.<\/p>\n

Typically, one’s prescription will change frequently as vision worsens, over time it will also become more difficult to wear contact lenses due to the changing shape of the cornea. If the contact lenses are not properly fitted on someone with Keratoconus, the lenses may rub against the most vulnerable part of the cornea. The excessive rubbing then causes symptoms to worsen by aggravating the already thin cornea. When the symptoms of keratoconus intensify, the cornea can begin to swell and form scar tissue. This scar tissue can result in worsening visual distortion and blurred vision.<\/p>\n

Symptoms during the early stages of keratoconus:<\/strong><\/p>\n