Basketball star Stephen Curry says contact lenses helped him deal with his keratoconus. The condition was a factor for the player’s previous shooting slump. The sharpshooter admitted that he was squinting a lot to see clearly before he started wearing contacts.
In today’s post, your local eye doctor, Guilford Eye Center, discusses what you need to know about keratoconus.
What Is Keratoconus?
Keratoconus is an eye condition where the normally round cornea progressively becomes thin and cone-shaped. The shape irregularity stops light from entering the eye and focusing properly on the retina, causing distorted vision.
The vision disorder is characterized by blurred and distorted vision, and increased light sensitivity. Symptoms, which may vary per eye, usually manifest in the late teens or 20s. After 10 to 20 years, the condition may slow its progression. Contact your local optometrist for an eye exam if you’re noticing changes in your vision.
In rare cases, keratoconus can cause swelling in the retina that results in vision loss. The stress of the cornea’s protruding cone-like shape can lead to the development of a tiny crack. It can last for weeks to months depending on how fast the crack heals. There’s no treatment for the disorder, but prescription eye drops may give temporary relief.
How Is Keratoconus Treated?
Mild nearsightedness and astigmatism caused by keratoconus may be corrected with prescription glasses and soft contact lenses. More advanced stages of the disorder may require the use of rigid gas permeable contact lenses. In some cases, a corneal transplant is needed, but patients will still need to use glasses and contacts to see clearer.
Regular eye exams and proper-fitting contact lenses are necessary for the management of keratoconus. Visit Guilford Eye Center for your vision and eye health needs. We are your local provider of quality eyeglasses and contact lenses. Call us at (336) 387-6777, or complete our online form to make an appointment. We help patients in Greensboro, NC.
