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What is Keratoconus?

Keratoconus usually appears in individuals during their late teens or early twenties and usually progresses for 10-20 years as the cornea steepens and thins. Keratoconus almost always affects both eyes, but usually, one eye will advance sooner than the other. Studies show that while keratoconus affected 1 out of every 2,000 people in the past, it now affects 1 in 400.

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Symptoms of Keratoconus

  • Glare and halos around lights
  • Blurring and distortion of vision
  • Light sensitivity and irritation
  • Difficulty seeing at nighttime
  • Sudden worsening or clouding of vision
  • Headaches that are associated with eye pain
  • Corneal thinning, bulging, or rounding
  • Frequent changing of glasses or contact lens prescriptions, with high levels of astigmatism

What Causes Keratoconus?

What causes keratoconus is not completely known, but this condition is not rare. It’s generally first diagnosed in young people at puberty or in their late teens.

At this stage, keratoconus causes slight blurring, distortion of vision, and increased sensitivity to light. Keratoconus may progress for 10-20 years, and then slow or stabilize.

Insurance Options

Many patients want to know if their procedure is covered by health insurance. This isn’t always clear until we have spoken with you, but many services that we offer are fully or partially covered. If there’s a procedure that you’re interested in and you’d like to know whether or not it’s covered, we encourage you to inquire about specifics when you’re in the office with us. We can determine if your procedure will be assisted by the financial help of health coverage.

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“What can I say, the staff is kind and you’re always greeted with a smile. I chose Dr. Kelly because of his experience more than anything. He has been doing this since I was born, which is crazy to imagine because he looks so young. I’m going to be a first-time dad, and Dr. Kelly gave me back my vision to set me up for fatherhood. Thank you, Dr. Kelly.”

Elmin J.

Why Choose Keratoconus Treatment?

Keratoconus affects your vision, which can negatively impact your quality of life. Many individuals who experience this condition find it hard to do their work, read, play certain sports, watch TV, and drive. It can be very stressful, disheartening, and can overall make you miss out on important moments in your life.

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Diagnosis and Treatment

Signs of keratoconus can be seen during a routine eye examination. The diagnosis is often confirmed using corneal topography, which are photographs that measure the curvature of the cornea. Although there are no known medicines to prevent the progression of keratoconus, mild cases can be successfully treated with glasses or specially designed contact lenses. Advanced cases may require corneal cross-linking or Intacs®, which are corneal ring implants. Many insurance companies cover keratoconus treatment, and our team can explain all the options available to you.

Simulation of a keratoconus patient’s vision

Simulation of a keratoconus patient’s vision

Your Free Consultation at Kelly Vision Center

If you think you may be experiencing symptoms of keratoconus, please contact us to set up your free consultation at Kelly Vision Center. Dr. James Kelly is a highly specialized, board-certified ophthalmologist in NYC with refractive surgery as his subspecialty. Since founding Kelly Vision Center in 1998, providing excellence in clinical and surgical care for patients is Dr. Kelly’s top priority. As someone who suffered from poor vision himself in the past, Dr. Kelly wants his patients to experience clear vision and live a better quality of life. You’re not just a number at Kelly Vision Center — you are more than that to us. Reach out to us today and discover how we can help.

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