Early Warning Signs of Keratoconus: What Every Patient Should Know

Keratoconus is a progressive eye condition that affects the shape of the cornea, causing it to thin and bulge outward into a cone-like shape. Because these changes often happen gradually, many people don’t realize something is wrong until vision problems start interfering with daily life. Recognizing the early warning signs of keratoconus is critical for protecting your vision and exploring treatment options that can slow progression and improve clarity.

What Is Keratoconus?

The cornea is the clear, dome-shaped surface at the front of the eye that helps focus light. In keratoconus, the cornea becomes weaker and thinner over time, leading to distortion of vision. This condition often begins during the teenage years or early adulthood and may progress for several years before stabilizing.

Early Warning Signs to Watch For

In the early stages, keratoconus symptoms can be subtle and easily mistaken for routine vision changes. Common early warning signs include:

• Frequent Prescription Changes: If your glasses or contact lens prescription seems to change every year - or even more often - it may indicate that the cornea is changing shape.

• Blurred or Distorted Vision: Straight lines may appear wavy or bent, and overall vision may feel less sharp even with corrective lenses.

• Increased Light Sensitivity: Glare, halos around lights, and discomfort in bright environments or while driving at night are common early complaints.

• Ghosting or Double Vision in One Eye: Seeing overlapping images or shadowed text, especially when looking with one eye at a time, can be an early sign of corneal irregularity.

• Eye Strain and Headaches: Because the eyes are working harder to focus, patients may experience frequent headaches or eye fatigue.

Why Early Diagnosis Matters

Keratoconus is a progressive condition, meaning it can worsen over time if left untreated. Early diagnosis allows your eye doctor to monitor changes closely and recommend interventions that may help slow progression and preserve vision. Advanced diagnostic tools, such as corneal topography, can detect subtle corneal changes long before symptoms become severe.

How Scleral Lenses Can Help

For many patients with keratoconus, traditional glasses or soft contact lenses eventually fail to provide clear, comfortable vision. Scleral lenses are a highly effective option for managing vision changes caused by keratoconus.

These specialty contact lenses vault over the irregular cornea and rest on the white part of the eye, creating a smooth optical surface. Benefits of scleral lenses include:

• Sharper, more stable vision

• Improved comfort compared to standard contacts

• Reduced glare and visual distortion

• Hydration of the corneal surface, which can improve overall eye comfort

Scleral lenses are custom-designed for each patient and can significantly enhance quality of life for those living with keratoconus.

Schedule a Comprehensive Eye Exam at Lakefront Eyecare Today

Keratoconus often develops quietly, but early warning signs should never be ignored. With early diagnosis and the right treatment approach - including advanced options like scleral lenses - many patients can maintain excellent vision and long-term eye health.

If you’re experiencing changes in your vision or have concerns about keratoconus, contact Lakefront Eyecare to schedule your eye exam and learn more about scleral lenses. Visit our office in Edgewater, Colorado, or call (303) 578-8055 to book an appointment today.