Keratoconus Specialist: What is Keratoconus?

Keratoconus is a rare condition where the cornea forms in a cone shape. Normal corneas are symmetrically rounded. In people with Keratoconus, the cornea protrudes out in one or more bulges or “cones.” These bulges distort vision and make the eye more sensitive to glare. So, what is Keratoconus? It’s a cone-shaped eye.

What Causes Keratoconus?

The direct cause of Keratoconus isn’t known. Although it’s suspected to be genetic. But Keratoconus generally isn’t present at birth — it develops later, often in your teens. The first sign of Keratoconus is blurred vision, which can be cured with standard corrective lenses. However, as it develops and the corneas continue to change, vision may become less treatable with normal lenses.

Stages of Keratoconus

If you have Keratoconus, you may start seeing multiple “ghosted” images, your eyes will be more sensitive to glare, and you may also feel eyestrain after working for a while. Other than strain, there is generally no pain connected to the condition. Once the corneas become more cone-shaped and asymmetrical, normal corrective lenses cannot resolve the resulting ghosting and multiple images.

That’s why finding a good Keratoconus doctor is so important.

How is Keratoconus Diagnosed?

The diagnosis of Keratoconus is difficult even when an Optometrist or Ophthalmologist suspects it. Standard eye chart observations and vision tests are not enough. A keratoconus specialist can measure the curvature of the cornea with a device called a Keratometer, but these are not designed to detect Keratoconus, and the deformation of the cornea may exceed the instrument’s ability to measure.

Once your doctor suspects that Keratoconus may be possible, the best diagnostic method is often direct observation. Advanced cases can be easily identified by the experienced eye of a Keratoconus doctor, and in about half of the cases, there is also a ring of yellowish or greenish color–called a Fleischer ring–that can be seen in the cornea.

However, irregularities in the eye structure, both related to and unrelated to Keratoconus, can still make diagnosis tricky. This is where the doctor’s experience evaluating the results of all these tests can make a huge difference in identifying this rare condition.

Eaglet Eye: New Technology for Keratoconus

Once Keratoconus is diagnosed, modern techniques such as corneal tomography and corneal topography (computerized corneal mapping) can be used to create detailed maps of the cornea, which help determine the disease’s deformation effects. Videokeratoscopes have allowed eye doctors to measure corneal curvature and radius, but the scopes’ ability to map the cornea in detail, or even to map the entire cornea, has been limited. A rare piece of technology called the Eaglet Eye Surface Profiler, a centerpiece of the California Keratoconus Center, can measure over 350,000 points on the eye. Its measurements cover 100% of the cornea plus a large portion of the sclera, the white portion of the eye.

Keratoconus specialists like the doctors at the California Keratoconus Center can use the Eaglet and its measurements to create “the perfect contact lens for you,” resulting in better vision, better comfort, and fewer visits to fit and refit imperfect lenses.

Choosing Your Keratoconus Doctor

Does your Optometrist or Ophthalmologist suspect you have Keratoconus? Then finding a qualified Keratoconus specialist is the next step. Because Keratoconus requires specialized care, you should seek the most qualified Keratoconus doctor available.

That’s when patients with Keratoconus in the Los Angeles area and all over California call the California Keratoconus Center. The Center’s Founder and Clinical Director, Dr. Leonard, is a doctor who not only treats Keratoconus but is also a Keratoconus patient himself. So he knows what you are going through and how to give you the best Keratoconus treatment available.

Make An Appointment with a Keratoconus Specialist

Call the California Keratoconus Center now at 818-891-6711. You can also make an appointment online. Use the link at the top of this page to get in touch today!

Index of all our Keratoconus Resources

Looking for more Keratoconus Resources? Here you go!

Keratoconus Information

Keratoconus Treatment

Keratoconus Contact Lenses

Keratoconus Videos

Keratoconus Ebook

Keratoconus Ebook: How To See Clearly With Keratoconus

Keratoconus Blog Posts

Keratoconus Blog

The optometrists at Dr. Leonard, Dr. Bennett & Associates help eye patients in the valley fight the effects of Keratoconus. They combine cutting-edge technology with unique, personal experience fighting the disease to deliver exceptional results.