What Is Keratoconus? Symptoms, Stages and Treatment Explained

If you’re experiencing blurred vision, light sensitivity or increased short-sightedness, you may have keratoconus. While that may answer your initial query, what is keratoconus exactly? 

Keratoconus is a condition of the eye where the cornea (the clear, front surface) begins to thin and bulge outward. It tends to begin in adolescence and develop into a cornea cone shape as you age, meaning that it might take some time for you to notice the issue.  

The good news is that keratoconus is treatable, and Eye Clinic Dublin’s Mr. Marc Guerin is one of Ireland’s leading specialists. To learn more about causes, stages and how to treat keratoconus, read on.  

What Causes Keratoconus?

If you’ve already researched the causes of keratoconus elsewhere, you may have found a single answer hard to come by. That’s because there is no established root cause.  

Instead, keratoconus is the result of a mix of genetics, hormonal and environmental issues. So, it can be hereditary, but aggressive eye rubbing and allergies cannot be disregarded as causes, either. Furthermore, conditions such as sleep apnea and floppy eyelid syndrome can lead to keratoconus. 

In terms of the risks and damage keratoconus can cause, corneal hydrops (swelling and clouding of the cornea), astigmatism (corneal thinning) and corneal scarring can all negatively affect your vision.  

Signs and Symptoms of Keratoconus

The signs of keratoconus are many and it can be difficult to differentiate one eye condition from another without the opinion of a cornea specialist. Still, it’s important that we discuss the signs and symptoms of keratoconus here so you can decide your next move.  

  • Blurred Vision: Objects may appear stretched, shadowed or heavily distorted. 
  • Double Vision: You may begin to see multiple images (monocular polyopia) or “ghosting” when looking at lights. 
  • Glare: Looking at bright lights can lead to large halos or streaks appearing. 
  • Light Sensitivity: Also known as photophobia, light sensitivity can be uncomfortable in bright or glaring environments. 
  • Frequent Prescription Updates: Needing a new prescription for your glasses or contact lens is a common sign of keratoconus. 
  • Eye Strain: When your eyes have to work harder to make up for distorted focus, you may experience eye strain or headaches. 
  • Sudden Vision Clouding: Although less common, a sudden break in the cornea can let fluid in, leading to swelling, pain and even loss of vision. 

The Stages of Keratoconus

Now that you have a better understanding of the signs and symptoms, let’s look at the different stages of keratoconus.

Early

At an early stage, keratoconus may cause slight corneal steepening and thinning. Here, the changes to your vision are minimal.  

Mid

Moderate keratoconus can be judged by a visibly steeper cornea, which leads to further thinning and increased astigmatism. 

Advanced

At an advanced stage, keratoconus causes corneal deformation and noticeable thinning. Scarring may even develop in the cornea, leading to vision impairment. 

Throughout these keratoconus stages, steps can be taken to reduce the long-term effects. To find out more about how you can catch keratoconus early on, contact Eye Clinic Dublin today. 

How is Keratoconus Diagnosed?

Keratoconus is diagnosed through a consultation with an ophthalmic surgeon like Mr. Marc Guerin of Eye Clinic Dublin at Mater Private Hospital, Dublin. 

During a consultation, an eye examination for keratoconus can include: 

  • A corneal topography assessment whereby imaging technology is used to create a map of the cornea’s curvature. This enables the surgeon to identify budging and scarring. 
  • An ultrasound test known as pachymetry to measure the thickness of the cornea. 
  • A slit-lamp examination to identify corneal thinning. 
  • A refraction test which allows the surgeon to check for scissoring in your vision. 

How Is Keratoconus Treated?

The best form of keratoconus treatment will be decided through your consultation with an ophthalmic surgeon. If the condition is in its early stage, glasses or contact lens may be recommended to restore vision. In some cases, plastic rings (intacts) are inserted into the cornea to flatten and reshape the cone. 

At Eye Clinic Dublin, the proven form of keratoconus treatment we provide is cross linking eye surgery. Also known as CXL, this treatment is performed when keratoconus is in its mild or moderate stages. It involves the application of vitamin B2 eye drops (riboflavin drops) and UV light to create new links in the corneal tissue, making it firmer and more stable. CXL has been shown to slow or stop the progression of keratoconus effectively for 90% of patients. 

Surgery is only required when there is a high risk of keratoconus progression, which makes the initial consultation so important. 

When to See a Specialist?

Having read this article and assessed your current symptoms, you should be better placed to decide whether you need to visit a specialist or not. That said, you should reach out to an expert if your vision has drastically weakened in a short period; you may be needing prescription updates or even considering laser eye surgery. If so, be aware that your issue may actually be keratoconus. 

To find out more about the condition, visit our dedicated keratoconus service page. To put your mind at ease and ensure your vision is protected, book a consultation with keratoconus specialist Mr. Marc Guerin today. 

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