Keratoconus in Massachusetts & Rhode Island

Keratoconus is a progressive ocular disease that causes the thinning and bulging of the cornea into a cone-like shape. Because the cornea is responsible for the proper reflection of light, the cone-like shape causes an improper refraction that directly affects your vision. The disease is often genetic but can also be caused by constant or aggressive rubbing of the eyes. Eye Health Vision Centers is proud to offer comprehensive treatment for this condition, beginning with a thorough eye examination and consultation at one of our greater South Coast-area facilities. You will meet with a highly experienced ophthalmologist during your visit who will create a customized treatment plan and help you begin taking the appropriate steps toward protecting and improving your vision. Call us today to schedule your visit to our Taunton, Fall River, Fairhaven, or Dartmouth, MA or Middletown, RI office.

Patients who inherited the eye disease will likely begin noticing symptoms in their late teens. Symptoms could include:

• Sensitivity to light
• Blurred vision
• A rim of discoloration around the front of the eye
• Distorted vision
• Double vision
• Astigmatism
• Nearsightedness
• Vision loss
• Inability to see in dimly lit spaces

While the most common cause of keratoconus is a genetic predisposition, the disease has also been associated with overexposure to ultraviolet rays from the sun, excessive eye rubbing, chronic eye allergies, and a history of wearing poorly fitting contact lenses. Men and women who are predisposed to the condition should schedule and maintain regular eye examinations so that the condition can be diagnosed early before symptoms become uncomfortable or affect your vision. While there are a number of treatments available for the disease, the earlier the condition is diagnosed, the greater the treatment options will be.

Depending on the progression of the disease when it is diagnosed, there are varying degrees of treatment options. Early into the progression, you may find relief with glasses or contact lenses. However, as the keratoconus progresses and you age, your vision will become worse and you will need more advanced treatment. The ophthalmology team at Eye Vision Health Centers may recommend corneal cross-linking or a corneal transplant. These surgeries help to treat the beginning and more advanced stages of the disease with outstanding results.

Keratoconus is a progressive disease that can lead to vision loss without treatment. But with a customized treatment plan created by a skilled ophthalmologist, your vision can be preserved for years to come. If you have been diagnosed with the condition or your vision is progressively declining with little help from your eyeglasses or contacts, schedule a consultation with our team at Eye Health Vision Centers right away. We have multiple locations throughout the greater South Coast area, each equipped to provide comprehensive treatment for keratoconus. Call at your earliest convenience.