Keratoconus

Keratoconus is a condition which causes the cornea, the clear window at the front of the eye to become progressively thinner. As a result of this thinning, the normally round shape of the cornea becomes distorted and a cone-like bulge develops, resulting in significant visual impairment. A useful analogy is to compare the shapes of an orange with a pear. The average person has a spherical shaped cornea like an orange whereas a person with keratoconus has a bulge, generally in the lower region of the cornea much like a pear. Keratoconus is typically diagnosed in the patient’s adolescent years and may progress until the patient is in their twenties and thirties.

We utilise corneal topography and corneal pachymetry technology to measure the curvature and thickness of the cornea respectively, both of which help confirm the diagnosis of keratoconus. 95% of keratoconus patients cannot achieve high quality vision with glasses. Optiko offers a solution for keratoconus patients: We fit either special soft contact lenses, rigid gas permeable contact lenses or hybrid lenses which have a soft skirt but a hard centre. The optometrist would determine which one is suitable. Those with more advanced forms of keratoconus may require surgery.