Keratoconus

Keratoconus

Keratoconus is a condition that affects the cornea, or the front, clear, dome-shaped part of the eye.  It causes the cornea to be shaped more like the end of a football, or conical. 

Above is shown a photograph of a cornea with keratoconus and an image of the cornea as seen with specialized imaging.

The cornea can become thin in the weak area in the center and cause scarring and vision loss.  Even mild keratoconus can cause significant nearsightedness, astigmatism and visual distortion.

Above is shown a corneal topographic map in 2-D and 1-D.  It shows a conical appearance of the cornea which is typical for keratoconus.

Many patients with early keratoconus can be corrected with glasses or contacts.  Sometimes it necessitates corneal transplantation when there is scarring or if contacts or glasses can no longer correct the vision.