Keratoconus Treatment in the Bay Area – Corneal Thinning & Vision Distortion
Keratoconus is a progressive condition that affects the cornea, the clear front surface of the eye. In this condition, the inner structure of the cornea weakens, causing it to thin and gradually bulge outward into a cone-like shape.
This change in shape prevents light from focusing properly, leading to distorted and fluctuating vision. In more advanced stages, vision can become significantly impaired.
Keratoconus affects approximately 1 in 500 to 1 in 2,000 people and often involves both eyes, although one eye may be affected earlier than the other.
How Keratoconus Develops
The cornea is made up of layers that provide strength and structure. In keratoconus, the inner layers (stroma) weaken over time, allowing the cornea to protrude outward due to normal eye pressure.
This irregular shape causes:
- Blurred or distorted vision
- Increased light sensitivity
- Difficulty seeing clearly, even with glasses
The condition often begins in the teenage years or early adulthood, and may be influenced by biological changes such as puberty or pregnancy.
Common Symptoms of Keratoconus
- Fluctuating or rapidly changing vision
- Frequent changes in glasses or contact lens prescriptions
- Blurred or distorted vision
- Increased glare or sensitivity to light
A common pattern is that new glasses or contacts may improve vision temporarily, but clarity declines again within a relatively short period.
How Keratoconus Is Diagnosed
Keratoconus is diagnosed through a comprehensive eye exam, including:
- Corneal topography (mapping the shape of the cornea)
- Refraction testing to assess vision changes
- Evaluation of corneal thickness and structure
These tests help confirm the diagnosis and determine the stage of the condition.
Vision Correction & Contact Lens Options
In early stages, vision may be corrected with:
- Glasses
- Soft contact lenses
As the condition progresses, more specialized lenses are often needed:
- Rigid Gas Permeable (RGP) lenses
- Custom-designed lenses to improve vision over an irregular corneal surface
Some patients develop contact lens intolerance, where lenses become uncomfortable due to friction against the irregular cornea, making long-term wear difficult.
Treatment Options for Keratoconus
Treatment depends on the severity of the condition and how well vision can be corrected.
INTACS Corneal Implants
A minimally invasive procedure where small, arc-shaped implants are placed within the cornea to:
- Flatten the cone
- Improve corneal shape
- Enhance vision quality
The procedure typically takes about 20-30 minutes per eye. While INTACS can improve corneal shape, patients may still require glasses or contact lenses afterward.
Corneal Transplant Surgery
In advanced cases where other treatments are not effective, a corneal transplant may be recommended. This procedure replaces the damaged corneal tissue with healthy donor tissue and has been performed successfully for many years.
Don’t Wait for Vision to Keep Changing
If your vision seems to change frequently or becomes harder to correct with glasses or contacts, keratoconus may be the cause.
At Peninsula Laser Eye Medical Group, we use advanced corneal imaging to diagnose keratoconus early and guide you through the most appropriate treatment options.
Call us at (650) 961-2585 or schedule an appointment online to get clarity on your diagnosis and next steps.