Keratoconus Treatment

What is Keratoconus?

According the AAO website, keratoconus is an uncommon condition in which the normally round, dome-like cornea (the clear front window of the eye) becomes thin and develops a cone-like bulge. Keratoconus literally means “cone-shaped cornea.” Keratoconus is a non-inflammatory eye condition in which the normally round dome-shaped cornea progressively thins causing a cone-like bulge to develop. This results in significant visual impairment.

Because the cornea is irregular and cone-shaped, eyeglasses do not appropriately correct the vision in patients with keratoconus. This is a result of the glasses not conforming to the shape of the eye. It should be no surprise that patients with keratoconus see best with rigid contact lenses since these lenses provide a clear surface in front of the cornea allowing the light rays to be projected clearly to the retina. Therefore; the vast majority of patients are treated with rigid contact lenses. There are, however, some excellent new surgical options for patients with keratoconus who cannot tolerate these lenses. Many patients are initially unaware they have keratoconus and see their eye doctor because of increasing spectacle blur or progressive changes in their prescription.

The Causes of Keratoconus

A combination of genetic, environmental, and behavioral factors can cause keratoconus. It often runs in families and is more likely in people with conditions like asthma, eczema, or Down syndrome. Chronic eye rubbing, especially due to allergies, is a major risk factor. Hormonal changes during puberty or pregnancy may also influence its progression. Additionally, oxidative stress, enzyme imbalances, and certain connective tissue disorders can weaken the cornea, leading to its thinning and bulging.

Eye Care Solutions with Specialty Contact Lenses

At Southwestern Eye Center, we understand that not every patient fits the mold of standard contact lenses. For individuals with keratoconus, irregular corneas, severe dry eye, corneal scarring, or complications from previous eye surgeries, specialty lenses offer a powerful solution for restoring clear, comfortable vision. These conditions often make traditional soft contact lenses ineffective or uncomfortable—but with the right specialty lens, many patients experience life-changing improvements in both sight and comfort.

Advanced Lens Options: Scleral & Gas Permeable Lenses

We offer two primary types of specialty contact lenses to help treat these complex eye conditions:

Scleral Lenses

Scleral lenses are large-diameter lenses that rest on the white part of the eye (sclera) and arch over the sensitive cornea. The space between the lens and the cornea holds a fluid reservoir, which helps hydrate the eye and provides exceptional comfort—especially for patients with dry eye or corneal irregularities. These lenses are ideal for:

• Keratoconus
• Post-Op surgery care or corneal transplant complications
• Severe dry eye syndrome
• Irregular corneal shape or scarring

Gas Permeable (GP) Lenses

Smaller and more rigid than soft lenses, GP lenses allow oxygen to pass through while maintaining their shape on the eye. This provides crisp vision correction for people with:

• High or irregular astigmatism
• Mild to moderate keratoconus
• Presbyopia (in multifocal GP lens designs)
• Those seeking better clarity than soft lenses can provide