Keratoconus

Keratoconus is a progressive condition where the cornea gradually thins and bulges outward into a cone shape, distorting how light enters the eye and causing blurred or distorted vision. It usually starts in the teenage years or early adulthood and can worsen over time without treatment, so early diagnosis matters. Common symptoms: blurred/distorted vision, frequent changes in glasses power, light sensitivity, glare and halos at night, difficulty driving at night, eye strain, headaches, and double vision in one eye. The exact cause isn't fully understood, but family history, excessive eye rubbing, allergies/chronic irritation, thin corneas, and certain connective tissue disorders are known risk factors. Diagnosis uses corneal imaging to assess thickness, curvature, topography, and how far the condition has progressed. Corneal Collagen Cross-Linking (C3R/CXL) is the primary treatment for stopping progression -- riboflavin eye drops plus UV light strengthen the corneal tissue, is minimally invasive, and works best when done early, reducing the eventual need for a corneal transplant. For mild-to-moderate cases, specialty contact lenses (rigid gas permeable, scleral, or hybrid) can give clearer, more stable vision than glasses.