Keratoconus in eyes. Scared. Is this what I have?

[funinthesun19]

I had an eye test done a few weeks ago, and it turned out I need glasses for reading/concentrating. Ok no problem, I’ve never needed glasses before now but lots of people need glasses so I wasn’t overly concerned.

He did mention to me that my eyes are cone shaped, which will explain why I’ve been getting headaches and why the glasses will help me. I didn’t think anything of this until tonight, when I thought I’d google it. I really wish I hadn’t. The condition “Keratoconus” kept popping up, and i wasn’t expecting that at all! Is this what he means? Surely if it’s something that bad he would have gone in to more detail about the prognosis!

Has anyone else had this?

Something else for me to worry about now

I was diagnosed with keratoconus this year after a routine check up at Specsavers. I have it in my right eye only and am 46. I went to a specialist privately who did a raft of tests and said that it's rare to be diagnosed at my age, but the older you are, the more likely it is to be mild because the cornea starts hardening which helps to stabilise it. I have it mildly and just need it monitoring. I have had a second check up (and my eyesight had improved!!).

Please don't worry, it may just be that you have astigmatism. I have worn contact lenses/glasses for years and only been given lenses for astigmatism this year....!

I have had keratoconus for around 20 years, I was diagnosed in my 20s and apparently the later the diagnosis the less likely it is to deteriorate.

I can read the top letter with my bad eye but nothing else. I manage well with just glasses except some flaring around lights.

I do need new prescriptions changed more frequently and it's hard to get the prescription right so can take 2 or 3 attempts.

For most people, it is not the end of the world but if it does progress then there are treatment options.

To the people who have been diagnosed with it, what were your symptoms in the early stages if you can remember?
I’ve been getting headaches and when I went for my eye test it was only the bottom line that I had some trouble with. My left eye seems to be weaker than my right, which was noticeable when I covered my right eye up at the eye test. I was prescribed some glasses just to wear while I’m concentrating e.g. reading and watching tv. Does this all sound normal for someone with mild symptoms?!My vision is ok but I can tell it’s not as good as it used to be.

Is it painful as it progresses? And is it noticeable to other people? That would bother me.

I also have keratoconus in both eyes, my right eye is worse. The thing I noticed first was that I would sometimes get double vision in certain lighting, like supermarkets. I also struggled to drive at night as the lights really glared me. Mine started about 12 years ago, I am now 36. It has got worse over the years. I struggle to read writing on the tv screen and i have to try harder to focus on things as they can be blurry. Contact lenses were too uncomfortable for me, particularly as I have a lot of allergies which make my eyes sore. I have between offered transplants but I am not ready for that as I still cope ok for now. I think I've just got used to how I see things To reassure you it is not painful, no one else notices and there are various treatments for it.

There were no symptoms for me, it was picked up at a routine eye test.

Headache is not a sign, it sounds like you have really good vision.

The only problems I have is with night driving and other lights.

Hi Optometrist here, you would have been referred if it was keratoconus. 99% sure it’s just astigmatism.
Email the practice if you’re concerned, they should be checking emails.

If the eye actually cone shaped, that is, if you have keratoconus, it is very likely that disease progression can be stopped and even partially reversed through an office treatment called corneal cross-linking. To determine whether or not you have keratoconus, it is best to go to an ophthalmologist who has a device that makes a colored map of the curvature of the corneal surface. Finding out early is good, because treatment is easier.