What is Keratoconus? (Keratoconus Eye Disease Explained)

Keratoconus is an eye disease where the cornea(the front clear window to the eye) progressively thins and becomes distorted, often bulging outward in the shape of a cone. This warped appearance to the surface of the eye often results in high levels of irregular astigmatism which can cause high levels of blurred vision, glare and visual distortions.

Anyone who is diagnosed with keratoconus and shows signs of progression should consider having a procedure called corneal collagen cross linking; A new keratoconus surgery that has been FDA approved for to help treat keratoconus and slow or hopefully halt the progression of the disease.

People with keratoconus often have the best eyesight with the use of specialty contact lenses. These may include both hard and soft contact lenses but many eye doctors prefer the use of scleral contact lenses for keratoconus.

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📒 Show Notes and Resources 📒

0:00 Keratoconus Explained
0:37 Keratoconus Video Series
1:25 What is Keratoconus
2:28 Symptoms of Keratoconus
3:45 Causes of Keratoconus
4:54 Keratoconus Diagnosis
6:26 Keratoconus Treatment
6:45 Keratoconus Surgery
7:31 Keratoconus Contact Lenses

Previous Livestream I did about Keratoconus and Keratoconus Treatments

More info about keratoconus

Scleral Lens Education Society

Does Keratoconus run in your family?

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About This Video: What is keratoconus? In this video we explain keratoconus and how keratoconus is treated. If you, a friend, or a family member have been diagnosed with keratoconus than this video should help you better understand the causes of keratoconus, how it is often diagnosed and the best steps for keratoconus treatment.

#keratoconus #astigmatism #doctoreyehealth

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[lisalms]

Thank you for such a clear explanation. I was diagnosed with KC 28 years ago when glasses could no longer correct my vision and it progressed very quickly. At the time, CXL was not approved for treatment where I live. Within five years from diagnosis I needed corneal transplants in both eyes. Recently, I found an optometrist that fits scleral lens and I’m happy to report that I now see 20/20 - it’s my best vision in a decade! It’s so important to find the doctor that can work with you.

[sidoptom]

I am an Optometrist from India and I found your videos very useful

[daniwells]

I honestly can't believe none of my Dr's have recommended testing for this disease. An ad about it just popped up on my Facebook of all places and sounded all too familiar to me, so I decided to go on a dive about it. Thank you for the clear and concise video about this!

[crowmoon]

I was diagnosed with this disease when I was 17. I am now 71. At that time I was told this is a genetic condition. I was asked if anyone in my family ever went blind and indeed my great grandmother went blind. The only thing that they had for treatment at that time was RGPs and I have been wearing them my entire life. A few years ago they became very uncomfortable and my doctor came up with a system in which I wear a soft lens under the RGP. We have tweaked the prescription to the point where at my most recent checkup my doctor managed to give me the clearest vision I’ve had in years. Night driving is a challenge but I wear night driving glasses and that helps. I have never had really clear vision and I would love to know what that looks like! I don’t think my doctor is well read on this issue, but then again it took me a very long time to find one who was somewhat knowledgeable about the disease. I will be sharing this information as we have never had a conversation about any of the things mentioned here. Thank you!!!

[robertr]

I have lived with this condition for nearly 40 years. I rubbed my eyes a lot in my youth. Had a transplant in one eye when I was 22 and the vision in that eye has been excellent (20/15) with contact lenses. Cross linking was not an option when the condition was progressing in my youth. It really stabilized in my mid 30’s and not a lot of changes since then. My vision has never been great as astigmatism continued even with contact lenses. I did recently get some custom fit Scleral lenses at the University of Iowa eye clinic(not to steal your thunder Doc, but U of I is a top 10 place in the country to go to for eye issues (I met Doctors in Germany who recommended them). and they have been simply wonderful. Improved vision, no worry about losing lenses, healthier eyes! Technology advances in this field have been wonderful and there are much worse things to live with than this condition. Love watching your videos. You are very entertaining and have a great way of informing and teaching people.

[coscontra]

I noticed a problem with my eyes in my early 20’s and often had dry eyes and rubbed my eyes a lot. It wasn’t until my mid 30’s I sought treatment and was diagnosed with KC. My right eye is much worse than my left eye. We’re hoping I’ll avoid a cornea transplant, but will see how the next 10 years go. I had the cross linking procedure done in 2020 in both eyes and I highly recommend that for everyone diagnosed with KC. The healing takes a long time. My eyes kept changing for about a year after the procedure (for the better), but I kept updating my glasses prescription. I’d say the hardest part of this 2 year journey was just having patience through vision fluctuations, healing, and just waiting. I’ve been on scleral lenses for a few months now and they take a little to get used to. I still plan on keeping my glasses up to date and plan on using both scleral and frame lens as I see pros and cons to both. In the end you have to decide what’s more comfortable and works best for you.

[AODlover]

I was diagnosed about 7 years ago in both eyes, had cross linking in 2016 on my left eye and then again in 2018 on my right (left eye was worse then my right) I had really horrible doctors (corneal and contact specialist) for the first 6.5 years of my diagnosis and just recently found amazing docs to help me. My original doc told me I was legally blind and that I need to GOOGLE my eye condition and then told me I was wrong when I was not and neither one would listen to me as a patient. Thankfully now with my new docs I no longer have anxiety going to apt (which are every 6 months) and I don't have doctors forcing sclara lenses on my eyes. My eyes have actually had a reduction in the cornea (point has receded) and I am able to use soft contact to correct my vision to the point I can now get my licence! I am not at 20/20 but I can now drive and my eyes can handle soft lenses!

Get yourself a great set of doctors it will CHANGE your life.

[saramcclain]

MY GOD!! You’re the best!! My son has been diagnosed with this disease recently. I wish more information was available 36 years ago. That’s how old he is, he has worn triple bifocals for years off and on. But finally he’s found a good doctor to help him with this unfortunate eye disease. Thank you for being so informative. God Speed to you❤

[kathrynmettelka]

New resolutions:
1. No rubbing
2. Lots of eye drops
I have allergies and live in Central Texas which is dry and dusty.
Thanks for this video. I had never heard of this condition and don't want to develop it.

[lala]

I am a clinical claim review RN, and I see claims ALL the time for corneal Collagen cross-linking and Photrexa. I was really excited to see this video and learn more about keratoconus, I am even more excited for the next one!

[jessb.]

I just started as an opthalmolic tech with ZERO experience. I've been scrolling Facebook looking for a crash course essentially.. this is one of the easiest to understand videos I've found. Thank you!!

[DougVandegrift]

I'm just very grateful for the rapid advances in vision technology that hopefully provide us all with good and healthy vision today and in the future!

[bernardoo]

After being diagnosed with kertatoconus. It was a scary finding because I was the first one in my family to have it. Not being able to see clearly for 2 years was rough until I got fitted with scleral lens was the best thing ever. Don’t be afraid of the scleral lens it’s 110% worth it !

[yvespaul]

Doctor, your explanations are so well understandable to the layman. Thank you!

[HondaCiwic]

I’m 24 and I was diagnosed with keratoconus at around age 15-16. It was so scary rapidly losing my vision. I’m so blessed to have a really good eye doctor literally 5 minutes away from me in a small town in Indiana. Scleral lenses are life changing. My eye doctor said my keratoconus has stabilized at the moment. I’m so glad I can see every day because of my doctor.

[MuskanGhani-qp]

Nowadays I'm going through this disease. My treatment has been started from CXL.
Thanks for the vedio. It is really helpful ❤

[Anjali-vjuo]

I'm a person with horrible allergies to dust and as you guessed I rubbed my eyes a lot. I noticed my right eye vision getting affected and the first doc unfortunately dismissed if as a "fold". Few years later the doctor's started calling it a "scar" and I decided to visit a better hospital. I was diagnosed with KC and have completed my collagen cross linking a month ago. I've done a trial of the scleral lenses and TBH when I was finally able to SEE, I felt like crying. No one in my family has this. My left eye is okay for now which is why I realised it late as well. I will get my lens 2 weeks later. I'm glad to know I'm not alone.

[FaniaSands]

Just diagnosed today and all the symptoms click. Doctor said it’s early stage and we are trying scleral lenses first. Thank you for this video. Very informative. Sharing with family and friends for them to better understand as well.

[kimmyblanco]

I had the cornea transplant in my right eye a month ago.i was so scared but everything went great I could already see the improvements a week after my surgery. I'm so happy I went through with it

[bspaghetti]

I called my doctor literally half an hour ago to continue my treatment for keratoconus, I'm waiting for the next video because I want to learn how to feel my lenses more comfortable while wearing it