Top Signs and Symptoms of Keratoconus

The eye is an incredibly complex, resilient, and highly productive organ. Interestingly, the muscles that move the eyes are the strongest and fastest in the body relative to their function. 

What is Keratoconus?

The conjunctiva is the first layer covering the white part of the eye. The next layer is the clear, dome-shaped cornea that covers the iris and pupil and helps focus light into the pupil. Keratoconus is a progressive eye condition that affects the cornea’s shape. People with this eye disease have thinning, cone-like, bulging corneas instead of the usual smooth dome shape. 

Keratoconus might not affect both eyes equally. Eyesight quality can worsen at different rates in one individual and from person to person. The cornea’s primary function is to refract light into the pupil. But when light passes through an asymmetrical cornea, it can lead to blurriness and distortion in vision. 

Vision-related Keratoconus Signs and Symptoms
 

People with this eye disease can experience several signs and symptoms. The symptoms vary depending on the condition’s stage of progression. Some of the most common symptoms related to keratoconus include:
 

• Seeing triple images

• Sudden distorted or blurred vision

• Frequent headaches due to increased light sensitivity

• Double vision with one eye covered or closed

• Light streaks when looking at a bright light

• Seeing halos around lights

• Nearsightedness

• Discolored ring on the front of the eye

• Difficulty seeing in dim light

• Vision loss

If you experience any of these symptoms, you could have an eye disease that requires treatment. If you experience several of these symptoms, you probably have keratoconus. Either way, it would help to undergo regular comprehensive eye examinations. 

Keratoconus Indicators

Eye care professionals are yet to understand the definitive causes of this progressive eye condition. Keratoconus affects people of all ages. The National Organization for Rare Disorders estimates that as high as one in 2,000 Americans have this eye disease. Some of the primary indicators of keratoconus include:

Family History

Often, this disease has a genetic component. Does your family have a history of keratoconus? If so, research suggests that there is a chance that siblings and children may also develop the condition. 

Eye Rubbing

Many people tend to rub their eyes when tired. Some studies suggest that excessive eye rubbing can worsen or cause keratoconus. Other data indicates that misshapen corneas may cause people with KC to rub their eyes more frequently.  

RK or LASIK Surgery

Radial keratotomy and LASIK eye surgery are other potential causes of KC. Both procedures involve the cornea and can sometimes worsen or cause this eye condition. 

Can Keratoconus Cause Blindness?

You cannot go completely blind if you have KC. But you can experience significant vision loss without appropriate treatment. Fortunately, current treatments can help patients with KC lead everyday lifestyles.

Most people do not contemplate the complexities of the eye, at least not until something happens that affects their eyesight, such as keratoconus. 

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For more on keratoconus, visit Seabert Eye Care at our Burleson, Texas office. Call (817) 857-8700 to schedule an appointment today.