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Actions You Can Take to Prevent Keratoconus From Worsening Submitted by Atlanta Vision Cataract and Laser Center on August 3, 2020
If you’re having a problem with your vision, it’s important to see an eye doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating eye conditions. Atlanta Vision Cataract & Laser Center provides comprehensive eye exams that get to the root of your symptoms. Our physicians offer state-of-the-art treatment once you receive a diagnosis.
Keratoconus typically develops in your late teens or early 20s. Your cornea weakens and thins and then becomes misshapen , developing a bulge that distorts your vision. The thought of a permanent condition that could limit or destroy your vision is frightening, but early treatment mitigates the worst effects.
Many keratoconus symptoms are similar to those of other eye conditions. Your Atlanta Vision Cataract & Laser Center physician is a specialist trained to spot keratoconus and differentiate it from other eye diseases. If you have any of the following eye problems , make an appointment right away:
Researchers are uncertain about all of the causes of this eye disease, but have observed commonalities among patients :
If you have keratoconus and have children, physicians advise having their vision checked starting at age 10 . Early treatment helps prevent the worst effects of keratoconus.
If keratoconus runs in your family, be sure to alert your Atlanta Vision Cataract & Laser Center physician because you are at an increased risk of suffering from the condition. The condition worsens over time, so early diagnosis and treatment are critical.
Schedule your next annual eye exam at this year’s exam, and put it on your calendar. Annual screenings can spot early keratoconus. Follow your doctor’s recommendations if you receive a diagnosis of keratoconus, and be sure not to miss any follow-up appointments.
Keratoconus is highly treatable. The first line of defense is prescription eyeglasses. Eventually, you’ll likely need contact lenses . Your doctor may prescribe soft contact lenses at first, but as your eyes change, he may switch you to hard contact lenses. If the glasses or contacts don’t help, we may recommend one of these treatments:
Your physician may recommend corneal cross-linking if the progression of your keratoconus continues. He performs this procedure right in the office. First, he removes the top layer of the cornea and then places drops of vitamin B2, riboflavin, directly on the eye. Then he exposes the eye to ultraviolet light, which activates the riboflavin. He put a temporary contact on your eye to protect it while it’s healing, and you continue to apply vitamin B2 drops at home.