Keratoconus Diagnosis & Treatment in Squamish
If your glasses or contact lens prescription keeps changing, or your vision feels blurry and distorted no matter how new your correction is, it may be more than typical astigmatism. Keratoconus is a progressive corneal condition that’s easily missed early on, but easily managed when caught in time. At Garibaldi Eye Care, we diagnose keratoconus during a comprehensive eye exam and guide you through the right treatment path — from specialty contact lenses to a referral for corneal cross-linking.
What Is Keratoconus?
Keratoconus occurs when the cornea — normally round and evenly curved — gradually thins and bulges outward into an irregular, cone-like shape. That irregular shape bends light unevenly as it enters the eye, causing blurry, distorted vision that’s difficult to fully correct with standard glasses. Keratoconus is one of the underlying causes of irregular astigmatism, so if you’ve been told you have unusually severe or hard-to-correct astigmatism, keratoconus may be part of the picture.
Symptoms of Keratoconus
Keratoconus tends to develop gradually, and the signs can be easy to dismiss at first:
- Blurry or distorted vision that keeps changing
- Frequent changes to your glasses or contact lens prescription
- Increased sensitivity to light, glare, or halos around lights — especially at night
- Difficulty driving at night due to glare and blurred vision
If you’ve needed a new prescription more than once a year, or your vision doesn’t feel fully corrected even with up-to-date glasses, it’s worth getting checked specifically for keratoconus.
What Causes Keratoconus
- Genetics — keratoconus often runs in families
- Chronic eye rubbing, which can accelerate corneal thinning
- Certain underlying conditions are associated with higher risk, including some connective tissue and allergic conditions
Keratoconus most often first appears in the teenage years to early twenties and can progress gradually over the following one to two decades, which is why early diagnosis matters.
How We Diagnose Keratoconus
Keratoconus is diagnosed using the same tools we use to detect irregular astigmatism: corneal topography to map the surface of the cornea in detail, keratometry to measure its curvature, and a slit-lamp exam to check the cornea’s shape and thickness directly. These tests are part of a comprehensive eye exam and help us catch keratoconus early, when treatment options are strongest.
Keratoconus Treatment Options
Specialty Contact Lenses
For mild-to-moderate keratoconus, specialty contact lenses — including scleral and rigid gas-permeable (RGP) lenses — can provide a smooth, regular refractive surface, correcting vision far better than standard soft lenses or glasses.
Corneal Cross-Linking
Corneal cross-linking is a procedure designed to strengthen the cornea and halt the progression of keratoconus. It’s most effective when performed before the cornea has thinned significantly, which is another reason not to delay an exam if you’re noticing symptoms. We’re happy to discuss whether this is a fit for you and refer you to a trusted surgical partner.
Glasses
In very early or mild cases, glasses may still provide adequate correction, though most patients eventually need a specialty contact lens fit as the condition progresses.
Why Early Detection Matters
Keratoconus is progressive, meaning it tends to worsen gradually if left unaddressed. Catching it early gives you the most treatment options — particularly corneal cross-linking, which works best before significant corneal thinning has occurred. If your prescription keeps changing or your vision doesn’t feel right even with updated glasses, it’s worth booking an exam sooner rather than later.
Keratoconus Care in Squamish
As an eye doctor in Squamish, we see patients across the Sea-to-Sky corridor whose vision changes have gone unexplained for years before a proper diagnosis. Keratoconus can be easy to miss if you’re not specifically checked for it, which is why we build corneal mapping into our comprehensive exams. Whether you’re newly noticing symptoms or you’ve been chasing a stable prescription for a while, our team can help you find the right long-term correction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can keratoconus cause astigmatism?
Yes — keratoconus is one of the underlying causes of irregular astigmatism. Learn more about astigmatism diagnosis and treatment at Garibaldi Eye Care.
Is keratoconus hereditary?
Genetics play a role, and keratoconus often runs in families, though not everyone with a family history will develop it.
Can keratoconus lead to vision loss or require a corneal transplant?
In advanced cases left untreated, keratoconus can significantly affect vision and, rarely, may require a corneal transplant. This is uncommon with early diagnosis and treatment, which is why regular eye exams matter.
What age does keratoconus usually start?
Keratoconus most commonly first appears in the teenage years through the early twenties, though it can be diagnosed at other ages too.
Does keratoconus get worse over time?
It can progress gradually over years, which is why early detection and treatments like corneal cross-linking — most effective before significant thinning occurs — are so important.
Book Your Eye Exam Today
If your vision keeps changing or doesn’t feel fully corrected, don’t wait to get it checked. Book an appointment with Garibaldi Eye Care today.
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