At Eye Specialists Of Illinois, we see patients with a wide range of eyesight issues, problems, and diseases. This includes keratoconus. At Eye Specialists of Illinois, we have provided Park Ridge residents with keratoconus treatment for many years. Following are the answers to several questions we frequently receive regarding this condition.
What is Keratoconus?
Keratoconus is an eye condition in which the cornea thins and gradually bulges outward into a cone shape. This can cause blurred vision, light sensitivity, and glare and usually affects both eyes, though one eye may be more affected than the other. This condition typically begins to affect people between their late teens and twenties, but it can take up to ten years or longer to progress to the point where the patient is fully blind.
How is Keratoconus Treated?
At first, keratoconus can be treated with glasses and contact lenses. Patients will notice that their vision worsens at a rapid rate, often requiring a new prescription for these lenses at least once every six months. Eventually, glasses will no longer be able to correct vision problems, and a cornea transplant or corneal collagen cross-linking will be needed.
Does Having Keratoconus Mean I'll Eventually Go Blind?
If left untreated, patients with this condition will go blind. However, there are several different treatment options available. For this reason, our patients with this condition are highly encouraged to schedule regular appointments with our ophthalmologist. Caring for this condition regularly is the first step to ensuring that your vision is preserved.
Do I Have to Have a Cornea Transplant?
For many years, a cornea transplant was the only way to permanently treat keratoconus. Today, however, there are new methods such as corneal collagen cross-linking that can delay or even eliminate the need for a cornea transplant.
Schedule an Appointment with Our Eye Specialist in Park Ridge, IL
If you live in the Park Ridge, Illinois area and you're looking for an eye specialist who can develop a treatment plan for your keratoconus, give Eye Specialists Of Illinois a call. Our eye surgeons and staff have years of experience helping patients with keratoconus, and we look forward to helping you.