Vision Therapy in Pine City

Keratoconus and Contact Lenses: Finding the Perfect Fit

(320) 629-7262

Understanding Keratoconus: A Vision Disorder

Your cornea, the clear, round, front surface of your eye, is the first ocular tissue that light passes through on its way to the retina. Keratoconus causes the cornea to thin, steepen, and form an irregular cone-shape. This transformation causes light to focus on the retina incorrectly, which leads to distorted vision.

woman putting in contact


What Are the Symptoms of Keratoconus?

There are two primary ways keratoconus affects your vision, and it shows up as:

  • Irregular Astigmatism: The cornea, which typically has a smooth spherical shape, undergoes a transformation into a cone-like structure. This alteration results in a wavy and uneven corneal surface, known as irregular astigmatism.
  • Nearsightedness: As the front part of your eye expands, your vision becomes increasingly nearsighted. This means that you can only see objects clearly when they are up close (however in keratoconus, even objects at near may still appear distorted). Anything at a distance appears blurry.
  • Variable or quickly changing vision. The inability to achieve clear vision in glasses or soft contacts when it had been possible in the recent past.

Recognizing the signs of keratoconus is essential, as early detection can lead to more effective treatment. Keep an eye out for the following symptoms:

  • Double or triple vision when using just one eye
  • Blurriness of objects both near and far
  • Perception of bright lights with halos around them
  • Presence of light streaks
  • The presence of ghost images
  • Persistent blurry vision that affects your ability to drive safely

adding contact drops

Causes and Risk Factors: Can it Damage Your Vision?

The precise cause of keratoconus remains unknown. Researchers believe that some individuals may have a genetic predisposition to the condition.

However, several factors have been associated with the development of keratoconus:

Family History: If a family member has been diagnosed with keratoconus, there is an increased likelihood of inheriting the condition. If you have keratoconus, it is advisable to have your children's eyes examined for early signs, by the age of 10 at the latest. Early detection of keratoconus is crucial for successful management and prevention of severe disease.

Certain Medical Conditions: Research has indicated a correlation between keratoconus and systemic conditions such as Down syndrome, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, osteogenesis imperfecta, retinitis pigmentosa, sleep apnea, Lebers congenital amaurosis, Marfan’s, and other connective tissue disorders.Inflammation: Inflammatory conditions like allergies, asthma, or atopic eye disease have the potential to weaken the corneal tissue over time.

Eye Rubbing: Vigorous and persistent eye rubbing can lead to corneal damage. Excessive eye rubbing can accelerate its progression for individuals already diagnosed with keratoconus.


Scleral Lenses for Keratoconus: The Game-Changer

Keratoconus presents a unique challenge when it comes to vision correction. Traditional gas permeable? contact lenses often prove ineffective as they cannot conform to the irregular corneal shape. This is where scleral lenses step in as an innovative solution.

Here are four compelling reasons to consider scleral lenses for keratoconus:

  • Enhanced Comfort

    Scleral lenses are larger in diameter compared to traditional rigid gas permeable contact lenses, spreading their weight across a broader, less sensitive area, ensuring comfort during extended wear.

  • Improved Vision

    Unlike glasses, which often offer limited visual improvement for keratoconus patients, scleral lenses can significantly enhance vision clarity and stability.

  • Constant Moisture

    Scleral lenses provide a continuous reservoir of moisture between the lens and the eye's surface, ensuring a soothing and moisture-rich environment for the eyes.

  • No More Eye Rubbing

    The design of scleral lenses minimizes the need for eye rubbing by reducing inciting factors of ocular surface and lid inflammation due to allergy response, reducing the risk of further corneal damage and discomfort.

Patient Reviews
4.7
163 Reviews
5
4
3
2
1
- Nov. 03, 2024
Excellent service
- Oct. 07, 2024
Dr Toler is outstanding! She is very thorough and is great at explaining things. I like the new equi... pment. I am looking forward to seeing her for many years.
- Oct. 03, 2024
Really nice people!
- Sep. 24, 2024
Quality exams and caring providers.
- Jul. 03, 2024
Friendly professional service in a timely manner, much appreciated!
- Jun. 16, 2024
Great service and the quality of both eyewear and accuracy of prescription is top notch.
- May. 16, 2024
Staff is very helpful assisting with picking out frames. Always very kind.
- May. 14, 2024
It was a pleasant experience!
- May. 05, 2024
Dr Garofalo is one the best opthamologists! Great office, friendly staff who care.
- Apr. 20, 2024
Very happy with service provided and friendly, efficient staff!
- Apr. 10, 2024
A friendly place.
- Apr. 10, 2024
Staff are always professional, pleasant and helpful.
- Apr. 07, 2024
The Dr. and staff have a very professional yet joyful attitude when talking with patients.
- Mar. 26, 2024
I felt welcomed and comfortable. Dr. Benedict was very thorough and checked me completely.
- Mar. 22, 2024
Been going here since I was 6 years old. Staff and doctors are great! I'll continue to go out of the... way to make sure I go see them. Always trusted them 100% to take care of my eyes.
- Mar. 20, 2024
Friendly and knowledgeable staff. Took time to explain tests and results.
- Mar. 18, 2024
I am so grateful for the team at Pine Eye. I went in for a routine checkup knowing that my eyes had ... changed since the last visit. Dr. T. was honest with her genuine concern over the significant changes that had taken place and validated the feelings I had about my much my vision had been affected. I’ve got my new glasses and can see quite nicely.
- Mar. 14, 2024
Thanks! Great experience!
- Mar. 01, 2024
Dr. Garafalo is very talented, very thorough, and totally engaged in a great outcome or solution for... his patients. We are so glad we were referred to him by a friend. We highly recommend him as well.
- Feb. 17, 2024
Very thorough and were able to allay my fears

View All 163 Reviews

Scleral Lenses in Pine City

Our optometry practice in Pine City

Photograph of Cody  Benedict
Hours
  • Monday 8:00 am - 6:00 pm
  • Tuesday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Wednesday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Thursday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Friday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Saturday Closed
  • Sunday Closed
Insurance Plans
  • VSP
  • Medicare
  • United Healthcare
  • Aetna
  • Cigna
  • Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield

chart

Experience Clarity with Scleral Lenses from Pine Eye Associates

Scleral lenses have the potential to provide life-changing improvement in vision clarity and comfort for those battling keratoconus.If you or a loved one has keratoconus and would like to explore the benefits of scleral lenses, schedule a consultation with Pine Eye Associates today. Your journey to clear vision begins here.[b]

(320) 629-7262