Have You Been Diagnosed With Keratoconus? Hear Other People's Personal Experiences

If you have keratoconus, you are not alone. Hearing other people's experiences can be very helpful when you are determining the nest step in your journey.

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Have You Been Diagnosed With Keratoconus? Hear Other People's Personal Experiences Optometrist

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Keratoconus Experience

The following article features the personal reactions of people who have been diagnosed with keratoconus, and their experiences in finding the proper treatment. We hope that readers will benefit from the positive reactions of those who have seen drastic improvements in their vision and emotional well-being following treatment.

What are Some Common Reactions to a Keratoconus Diagnosis?

From reading people's testimonials, the immediate reaction to being diagnosed with keratoconus is (understandably) fear of going blind. Fortunately, blindness from keratoconus is rare. And although there is no cure to date, there are many excellent medical interventions to stop the progression and improve vision, including specialty contact lenses, corneal cross-linking surgery, and in rare instances corneal transplants.

In this degenerative eye disease, the clear external cornea becomes brittle and thin and starts bulging into a cone-like shape, hence the "CONUS" in the name. As a result of this alteration, light rays are not properly sent to the retina, and vision becomes blurred or distorted. This condition usually occurs in both eyes, although there are occasions when only one eye is affected. The challenges are that sometimes the condition remains the same for years, while other times progression is quicker. Not every treatment option works as well on certain people

Common Signs of Keratoconus Pre-Diagnosis

Some common signs of keratoconus people report experiencing include:

Blurred or impaired vision
Sensitivity to light
Frequent prescription changes: As the eye changes shape, vision becomes impaired
Seeing streaks or trails when looking at lights, such as when observing a traffic light at night, or looking at the moon.
Impaired night vision
Increased eye-rubbing

The challenge is that these symptoms often mimic those of other eye complications, and sometimes manifests slowly. Professional testing is critical for an early diagnosis and implementation of a treatment plan.

Testimonials After Treatment

Technological advances provide people with more treatment options for all stages of keratoconus. Although individual challenges can be frustrating and different among the population, the overall sense is that people are excited with the available options today, and the ability to attain better vision following implementation of the available corrective measures. These include people utilizing the following interventions:

Contact lenses: Such as scleral contact lenses
Corneal cross-linking surgery: In this procedure, the eye is saturated with riboflavin to strengthen the cornea and stop the progression of keratoconus
Corneal transplant: In severe cases, corneal transplants may be required..

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General recommendations from People Diagnosed with Keratoconus

The benefit of people who have experience dealing with this condition is that they can share the knowledge they've acquired. The following recommendations may prove useful:

Join a support group: In our age of information, there are so many online options for quality professional advice, as well as people such as yourself who are trying to cope with a new diagnosis of a vision disease.
Stop worrying: You won't go blind! There are many great options today. Do your research, speak with your eye doctor, and find the best options that work for you.
Stop eye-rubbing: Eye rubbing damages the eyes and can even worsen the disease.

Find an Amplify Practice in Your Area

Amplify EyeCare is a team of a passionate and experienced optometrists practicing eye care at the cutting edge of technology and vision science. We are growing with new locations coming across the US.

Visit a Specialty Contacts optometrist at an Amplify EyeCare practice near you:

Amplify EyeCare Santa Clarita in Santa Clarita, California
Amplify EyeCare of Greater Long Beach in Bellflower, California
Amplify EyeCare Chattanooga in Hixson, Tennessee

Common Questions

Can I live a normal life with keratoconus?

Yes, many individuals with keratoconus live a normal life with proper management and care. Regular check-ups with a keratoconus specialist are essential to monitor the condition. Customized treatment plans may include specialized contact lenses, or other vision aids.

What is the average age for keratoconus?

Keratoconus typically begins to develop in the late teens to early twenties, but it can start earlier or later. Regular eye exams with an optometrist can detect the condition in its early stages, and prompt treatment by a keratoconus specialist can help manage its progression.

How does keratoconus affect your life?

Keratoconus can affect daily life by causing blurred or distorted vision, sensitivity to light, or difficulty with night driving. However, with proper care and guidance from an eye doctor or keratoconus specialist, most of these challenges can be managed. A customized treatment plan, which may include specialized contact lenses determined through a contact lens exam, can help maintain normal daily activities and quality of life.

Summary

The overall experiences of people being treated today for keratoconus are positive. Understandably, it can be frustrating at first when trying to determine the best type of treatment (or combination). Fortunately, there are several excellent options today, and many people are very impressed with their improved vision. You can reach out to your nearest Amplify EyeCare practice either via a call or in-person visit to schedule an eye exam with our eye doctor. Our team of eye care professionals is ready and equipped to provide you with the care you need.