Our Optometrist in Ardmore, OK Provides Keratoconus Diagnosis & Treatment
Keratoconus is one of the lesser known eye conditions, but our optometrist in Ardmore, OK has treated dozens of people with it over the 14+ years he’s been in practice.
So, What Happens With Keratoconus?
If the eyes are called the windows of the soul, then your corneas should be called the windows of your eyes! These are the half-spherical clear structures covering the colored irises. Normally, the corneas’ role is to help bend (refract) light as it enters the eye, so that it can focus on the correct areas and allow you to see. With keratoconus, the cornea begins to thin and bulge in places, taking on a more conical shape. It’s not entirely understood why this happens.
Signs & Symptoms of Keratoconus
Signs and symptoms will change from mild to severe over the course of the disease progression. In the early stages, main symptoms include blurry and distorted vision, heightened light sensitivity (photosensitivity), and redness and swelling of the eye.
Later on, symptoms may include worsening vision impairments, increased and worsening myopia (nearsightedness) or astigmatism, necessitating frequent updates to corrective eyewear prescriptions, and an inability to tolerate wearing contact lenses due to discomfort and poor fit.
Who Gets Keratoconus
Keratoconus typically starts to develop when a person is in their 20’s, with symptoms slowly progressing for another decade or two before generally stabilizing. If you have a family member with keratoconus, you may be more at risk for developing it yourself, since doctors believe there’s a genetic component to it.
How Our Optometrist in Ardmore, OK Helps People with Keratoconus
Our optometrist can diagnose keratoconus on a routine eye exam. With a positive diagnosis, he can then design and implement a treatment plan to help you manage your condition at the particular stage it’s in and maximize your ability to see and function on a day-to-day basis.
The following are a few of the more common treatment options provided at our vision and eye care clinic here in Ardmore:
- Eyeglasses prescription
- Prescription of hard-to-fit contact lenses, including rigid gas permeable or scleral lenses
- Pre- and post-operative care if surgery (such as corneal transplant)
One word to the wise: no matter what stage of keratoconus you’re in, you should avoid rubbing your eyes, as this can damage your thinning corneas and lead to worsening of symptoms.
Wondering If You Have Keratoconus? Find Out By Scheduling an Eye Exam at Ardmore Premier Eye Care
Keratoconus is manageable with the right care. To schedule a comprehensive eye exam with our optometrist or learn more about our comprehensive services, contact Ardmore Premier Eye Care today by calling (580) 223-8585.