Keratoconus Symptoms and How We Manage Them With Specialty Contact and Scleral Lenses
Keratoconus, a term that may be unfamiliar to many, is a degenerative eye condition that can drastically affect one’s quality of life. Those living with keratoconus know the challenges it presents. However, many potential patients may be living with symptoms and not even realize the cause. That’s why understanding keratoconus symptoms and available treatments, particularly the use of scleral lenses, is crucial.
What is Keratoconus?
Keratoconus is a condition characterized by the thinning of the cornea, the clear, dome-shaped surface that covers the front of the eye. As the cornea thins, it gradually bulges into a cone-like shape, causing a distortion of vision. This distortion can lead to a variety of symptoms that can significantly impact a person’s ability to lead a normal life.
Common Symptoms of Keratoconus
The progression of keratoconus is typically slow and can span over several years. This slow progression often leads to a delay in diagnosis, as the symptoms gradually intensify over time. Here are some common signs and symptoms associated with keratoconus:
- Blurred or Distorted Vision: This is one of the earliest signs of keratoconus. It can affect either one or both eyes and can lead to difficulties with tasks that require sharp vision, such as reading or driving.
- Increased Light Sensitivity: People with keratoconus often find themselves squinting or feeling discomfort in bright light.
- Frequent Prescription Changes: If you’re frequently changing your glasses or contact lens prescription, it might be due to the continuous reshaping of your cornea.
- Eye Strain or Eye Irritation: The constant struggle to focus can lead to additional eye strain and irritation.
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s important to consult with an eye health specialist for an accurate diagnosis. You can learn more about keratoconus and its implications on our dedicated keratoconus page.
Managing Keratoconus Symptoms with Specialty Contact and Scleral Lenses
For many keratoconus patients, the progression of the condition can be halted or at least slowed with appropriate and timely management. Two of the most effective tools in managing keratoconus are specialty contact lenses and scleral lenses.
Specialty Contact Lenses: Unlike regular contact lenses, specialty contact lenses are custom-made to fit the irregular shape of a keratoconic cornea. They help correct vision problems caused by corneal irregularities, thus improving visual clarity and comfort.
Scleral Lenses: A subset of specialty contact lenses, scleral lenses, have proven particularly beneficial for patients with keratoconus. These lenses have a larger diameter that covers the entire corneal surface and rests on the sclera, the white part of the eye. The design of scleral lenses provides several advantages:
- Improved Comfort: Since scleral lenses do not come into contact with the cornea, they provide superior comfort, especially for keratoconus patients whose corneas may be sensitive.
- Better Vision Quality: The fluid reservoir trapped between the cornea and the lens helps smooth out corneal irregularities, resulting in sharper vision.
- Stability: The larger size and unique design mean scleral lenses are more stable on the eye and less likely to dislodge.
We have more details about the benefits and fitting process of scleral lenses on our dedicated scleral lenses page.
While keratoconus can be a challenging condition to live with, remember that an early diagnosis and appropriate management can significantly improve your quality of life.
Our team at Eye Freedom, led by Dr Edward Boshnick, is dedicated to providing the highest quality of care and the most advanced treatment options for keratoconus patients.
Remember, the key to successful keratoconus management is regular eye check-ups and following the prescribed treatment.
The Importance of Regular Check-ups and Ongoing Management
At Eye Freedom, we believe that keratoconus is a journey, and we’re here to guide you every step of the way. Regular check-ups are crucial because they allow us to monitor the progression of your keratoconus and adjust your treatment plan as necessary.
Every keratoconus patient is unique, and so is their journey. Some patients may find that their condition progresses slowly, while others may experience a more rapid progression. That’s why we offer a personalized treatment approach, tailoring our strategies to meet your specific needs and circumstances.
Ongoing management of keratoconus involves regular eye exams, updating your vision correction prescription, and monitoring the shape and thickness of your cornea. We’ll also assess your comfort with your current lenses and make any necessary adjustments to ensure that you continue to enjoy clear, comfortable vision.
Our team is dedicated to ensuring you have the best possible outcomes from your keratoconus treatment. Through patient education, personalized care, and advanced treatment options, we’re committed to helping you see clearly and comfortably.
We invite you to explore our website to learn more about keratoconus and how we manage this condition. For more specific information about your situation, don’t hesitate to contact us. Remember, we’re here to support you on your keratoconus journey.
To learn more about keratoconus, its symptoms, and how it’s diagnosed, visit our dedicated keratoconus page.
If you would like to schedule an appointment with Dr. Edward Boshnick, or if you have any questions about keratoconus or scleral lenses, please do not hesitate to contact us. We’re here to help you on your journey to visual freedom!
The Role of Specialty Contact Lenses and Scleral Lenses in Managing Keratoconus
One of the most effective ways to manage keratoconus is through the use of specialty contact lenses, particularly scleral lenses. Unlike traditional lenses, scleral lenses are designed to vault over the irregularly shaped cornea, resting on the sclera (the white part of your eye) and creating a tear-filled chamber over the cornea.
This unique design provides multiple benefits:
- Vision Improvement: The tear-filled chamber created by scleral lenses acts as a new refractive surface, essentially replacing the irregular shape of the keratoconic cornea. This significantly improves visual acuity and quality.
- Comfort: Because they don’t rest on the cornea, but on the less sensitive sclera, scleral lenses are often more comfortable for people with keratoconus.
- Stability: Scleral lenses are larger in diameter than regular contact lenses, which makes them more stable on the eye and less likely to dislodge.
Scleral lenses can provide life-changing vision correction for people with keratoconus, but fitting them requires specialized knowledge and skill. Dr. Edward Boshnick has extensive experience fitting scleral lenses for patients with keratoconus. His approach includes a thorough evaluation, personalized lens design, and careful monitoring of lens performance.
To learn more about how scleral lenses can manage keratoconus symptoms, please visit our scleral lenses page. Remember, the team at Eye Freedom is always here to answer your questions and guide you through your journey with keratoconus.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are the symptoms of keratoconus?
Keratoconus symptoms can include blurred or distorted vision, increased sensitivity to light and glare, difficulty with night vision, and frequent changes in eyeglass prescription. As the disease progresses, the cornea can become scarred, leading to further visual impairment.
2. What is the role of scleral lenses in managing keratoconus?
Scleral lenses play a crucial role in managing keratoconus. They are designed to vault over the irregularly shaped cornea, resting on the sclera (the white part of your eye) and creating a tear-filled chamber over the cornea. This improves visual acuity, provides comfort, and offers stability.
3. How do scleral lenses improve vision in keratoconus patients?
Scleral lenses act as a new refractive surface, essentially replacing the irregular shape of the keratoconus cornea. The tear-filled chamber they create improves visual acuity and quality.
4. Are scleral lenses comfortable to wear?
Yes, scleral lenses are often more comfortable for people with keratoconus as they don’t rest on the cornea, but on the less sensitive sclera.
5. How stable are scleral lenses on the eye?
Scleral lenses are larger in diameter than regular contact lenses, which makes them more stable on the eye and less likely to dislodge.
6. Who is Dr. Edward Boshnick?
Dr. Edward Boshnick is an experienced optometrist who specializes in fitting scleral lenses for patients with keratoconus. He offers a thorough evaluation, personalized lens design, and careful monitoring of lens performance.
7. Where can I learn more about scleral lenses?
You can learn more about how scleral lenses can manage keratoconus symptoms by visiting the Eye Freedom scleral lenses page.
8. How can I get in touch with Eye Freedom for my keratoconus concerns?
You can reach Eye Freedom through their contact us page or by calling their office. They are ready to answer your questions and guide you through your journey with keratoconus.
