Keratoconus Care in Bronxville & White Plains, NY
Keratoconus causes the cornea to thin and bulge, leading to distorted vision, light sensitivity, and frequent prescription changes. At Bronxville Vision Care Inc, our optometrists in Bronxville and White Plains, NY diagnose keratoconus and provide specialty contact lenses to help patients see clearly and comfortably.
Request an AppointmentWhat Is Keratoconus?
Keratoconus is a non-inflammatory eye disorder that affects the cornea, the clear front surface of the eye. Normally, the cornea is smooth and dome-shaped. With keratoconus, it gradually thins and bulges outward into a cone shape, which distorts how light enters the eye. This causes blurry and distorted vision, sensitivity to light, and decreased vision. Symptoms typically appear in the late teens or 20s and may progress for 10 to 20 years before stabilizing.
Signs and Symptoms of Keratoconus
- Blurry or distorted vision that worsens over time
- Increased sensitivity to light and glare
- Halos, ghosting, or streaks around lights, especially at night
- Frequent changes in eyeglass prescriptions
- Increasing or irregular astigmatism
- Glasses that no longer provide clear vision
Keratoconus can affect your ability to read or drive, which can be a major obstacle in daily life.
Risk Factors
The exact cause is not fully understood, but keratoconus often runs in families. Frequent, vigorous eye rubbing, allergies, and certain medical conditions are associated with a higher risk. Avoiding eye rubbing is one of the most important steps to help protect the cornea.
Diagnosing Keratoconus
Keratoconus can be detected through a routine eye exam, which underscores the importance of scheduling regular exams for you and your children. During a comprehensive eye exam, our optometrists look for irregular astigmatism and changes in corneal shape and refer patients for corneal mapping when needed. Rapidly changing prescriptions in teens and young adults with myopia or astigmatism are a common early clue.
Vision Correction for Keratoconus
In mild cases, glasses or soft contact lenses may provide clear vision. As keratoconus progresses, specialty lenses, especially rigid gas-permeable designs, are often the best way to restore sharp vision. Our hard-to-fit contact lenses service focuses on finding comfortable lenses for irregular corneas. For progressive keratoconus, we coordinate referrals to corneal specialists for treatments such as corneal cross-linking. Dryness can make lens wear harder, so our dry eye treatment may help, and UV-blocking sunglasses ease light sensitivity. Visit our conditions page to learn about other eye conditions we treat.
Keratoconus FAQs
What causes keratoconus?
The exact cause is unknown, but genetics, eye rubbing, allergies, and certain medical conditions are linked to keratoconus.
At what age does keratoconus start?
Keratoconus usually begins in the late teens or 20s and may progress for 10 to 20 years before stabilizing.
Can keratoconus cause blindness?
Keratoconus rarely causes total blindness, but it can significantly reduce vision without proper correction and care.
Can I wear contact lenses with keratoconus?
Yes. Rigid gas-permeable and other specialty lenses are often the best option. Learn more about our hard-to-fit contact lenses.
Is there a treatment that stops keratoconus from progressing?
Corneal cross-linking can help slow or stop progression in many patients. We coordinate referrals to corneal specialists when needed.
Should my children be screened for keratoconus?
Yes. Because keratoconus often begins in the teen years and can run in families, regular eye exams for children are important.
How do I schedule a keratoconus evaluation?
Call our Bronxville office at (914) 337-4440 or our White Plains office at (914) 949-8900, or request an appointment online.
Get Clearer Vision With Keratoconus
Schedule your keratoconus evaluation with Bronxville Vision Care Inc. Call our Bronxville office at (914) 337-4440 or our White Plains office at (914) 949-8900.