About Keratoconus
The cornea is the clear, dome-shaped outermost layer of the eye. It acts as a lens, controlling and focusing the light that enters the eye. Keratoconus is a degenerative disease of the cornea that causes it to thin and bulge into a cone-like shape. This change can weaken the eye's acuity, causing blurred or distorted vision. Board-certified ophthalmologists Dr. Allison Young and Dr. Jana Waters have extensive and diverse experience in the diagnosis and treatment of keratoconus. The objective is to slow down the progression to preserve a patient's vision. Stone Oak Ophthalmology Center in San Antonio, TX is pleased to offer advanced ocular care to our local community and invite you to contact our office to learn more about your treatment options.
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Symptoms
Keratoconus develops very slowly, which can make it fairly difficult to diagnose. In addition, its slow progression often doesn't make symptoms obvious until it reaches an advanced stage.
The most common signs and symptoms generally include:
- Blurred or distorted vision
- Light sensitivity and glare
- Sudden changes or clouding of vision
- Nearsightedness
- Constant changes in eyeglass prescription
Causes
The exact cause of keratoconus is unclear, but it's a hereditary disease, which means it can be passed down from parent to offspring. Other factors may increase one's risks of developing keratoconus, like corneal thinning after eye surgery, chronic UV light exposure, obsessive eye rubbing, and long-term use of poorly fitted contact lenses.
Treatment Options
Generally, with early keratoconus, eyeglasses or contact lenses are utilized to attain the best vision. Prior to any treatment, our San Antonio, TX ophthalmologists will perform a comprehensive eye exam to evaluate your condition. Once an accurate diagnosis has been made, a customized treatment plan will be developed. If the disease progresses and more invasive treatment is necessary, our doctors at Stone Oak Ophthalmology Center will refer you to a corneal specialist for further evaluation. Treatment options that are currently available include corneal implants and corneal cross-linking.
Keratoconus is manageable
Although keratoconus can be challenging to diagnose, our gifted ophthalmologists are diversely trained and experienced in identifying and treating keratoconus. If you have noticed abnormal or sudden changes in your vision, reach out to Stone Oak Ophthalmology Center in San Antonio, TX to get the prompt treatment you need to preserve your eyesight and overall ocular health. We look forward to serving you and helping to restore your vision.
