Keratoconus can lead to blurry vision and make tasks like reading or driving challenging. At Eyear Optical in Chattanooga, Cleveland, and Athens, TN, we comprehensive eye exams to learn more about your condition and treatment to improve your vision. Before visiting us, learn more about the symptoms of keratoconus below:
Symptoms of Keratoconus
The eye disease keratoconus affects the cornea. Thinning or weakening of the cornea causes it to bulge. Instead of a rounded shape over the eye, the cornea becomes closer to a cone or football shape. When the cornea bulges, the way light is refracted into the eye changes. This creates blurry vision and causes problems with reading, watching tv, computer usage, driving, and more. Symptoms include blurry vision, halos around lights at night, streaking lights, ghost-like images, and sensitivity to light. If you are experiencing some or all of these symptoms, schedule an eye exam. Don't wait for your annual appointment.
Causes of Keratoconus
Keratoconus runs in families. However, the condition is not always caused by genetics. People with down syndrome or connective tissue disorders are at higher risk for keratoconus. Chronic eye rubbing can cause keratoconus. Keratoconus most often becomes evident during adolescence. Our eye doctors use a painless topography measurement to diagnose keratoconus.
Keratoconus Treatment
Our optometrists manage mild cases of keratoconus with traditional eyewear, such as eyeglasses and contact lenses. If you need eyeglasses, you will be able to choose frames in our onsite boutique. For moderate cases of keratoconus, we offer scleral contact lenses. Scleral gas-permeable lenses have a larger diameter than traditional lenses. Scleral lenses rest on the white part of your eye (the sclera) and leave a gap between your cornea and the contact lens. The gap fills with tears and provides additional comfort. Scleral lenses are custom-fitted for your eye. Scleral lenses are an excellent choice for people with keratoconus, astigmatism, severe dry-eye, or hard-to-fit eyes. Our highly trained staff can measure you for X-Cel specialty contacts, including Atlantis X-Cel scleral lenses.
Contact us for an Appointment Today
Don't be complacent with your eye health and eye care. If your vision changes or you think you may have an eye disease, our team at Eyear Optical in Chattanooga, Cleveland, and Athens, TN, can help. To schedule your eye exam, contact our Chattanooga Shallowford office at (423) 499-0818, our Chattanooga Brainerd office at (423) 894-2484, our Cleveland location at (423) 472-0426, or our Athens location at (423) 745-1702 today. When you need an optometrist near me, we are happy to assist you!
