Keratoconus is a progressive eye condition in which the cornea weakens, thins, and gradually takes on a cone-like shape. This irregular curvature leads to distorted vision and often results in significant astigmatism that cannot be corrected with standard glasses or soft contact lenses.

The disease typically affects both eyes, but symptoms may be noticed later if one eye is stronger. By that stage, permanent vision loss in the weaker eye may have already occurred. Keratoconus usually appears in the late teens to early twenties and is more common than once believed, affecting nearly 1 in 500 people worldwide.

Early keratoconus often goes undetected without advanced diagnostic scans. In mild cases, glasses or soft lenses may provide clear vision, but as the condition progresses, specialty contact lenses are usually required to restore sharp and comfortable sight.

While there is currently no cure for keratoconus, The Raleigh Contact Lens Institute offers advanced treatment options tailored to each patient. The most effective solution for many is a scleral contact lens, available in both free-form and traditional designs. These lenses vault over the cornea and rest on the sclera (the white part of the eye), avoiding direct contact with the cornea and providing exceptional comfort.

Scleral lenses allow patients to achieve clear, stable vision without the sensation of wearing a lens. Using technology that maps over 240,000 unique data points, our doctors design fully customized scleral lenses specifically for keratoconus patients.

Corneal cross-linking (CXL) is an FDA-approved, minimally invasive treatment designed to strengthen corneal tissue. By applying riboflavin (vitamin B2) drops and controlled UV light, the cornea’s collagen fibers are reinforced, slowing or halting disease progression.

While CXL helps protect long-term vision by stabilizing the cornea, most patients still benefit from scleral lenses to achieve clear sight. At The Raleigh Contact Lens Institute, we provide cross-linking evaluations using advanced tomography systems that detect the earliest signs of keratoconus progression. Many eye doctors in Raleigh and surrounding areas refer patients to us for this specialized testing.

If you want to learn more about keratoconus, treatment options, or schedule a cross-linking evaluation, contact us at (919) 850-5910 or email hello@raleighcontactlens.com.