Clear vision depends on a smooth, evenly curved cornea. When that surface changes shape, vision can blur, stretch, or split in ways that feel frustrating and unpredictable. At Bettner Vision, we guide patients through keratoconus diagnosis and custom specialty lens options designed to restore clarity and confidence.
If you or your child has frequent prescription changes or increasing night glare, this information can help you understand what may be happening and what solutions are available.
What Is Keratoconus?
Keratoconus is a progressive eye condition that affects the cornea, the clear front surface of the eye. In a healthy eye, the cornea is smooth and dome-shaped. With keratoconus, the cornea gradually thins and bulges outward into a cone-like shape.
This change prevents light from focusing properly on the retina. As a result, vision becomes distorted rather than simply blurry.
Common Keratoconus Symptoms
Patients often notice:
- Blurred or distorted vision
- Increased sensitivity to light
- Frequent changes in glasses prescription
- Difficulty seeing clearly at night
- Glare and halos around lights
- Ghosting or double images in one eye
Keratoconus often begins during the teenage years or early adulthood. In a community where many patients spend time driving at night, working on screens, or enjoying outdoor activities under a bright sun, visual distortion and glare can quickly interfere with daily life.
Early diagnosis allows us to monitor corneal changes over time and guide treatment decisions with greater precision.
Why Glasses Are Often Not Enough
In the early stages, prescription glasses may provide temporary improvement. As the cornea becomes more irregular, however, glasses cannot fully correct the uneven surface.
Glasses sit in front of the eyes. They correct simple focusing errors, but they cannot reshape how light travels across a distorted cornea.
Specialty contact lenses work differently. They create a new, smooth optical surface over the cornea. This allows light to focus more accurately on the retina, often producing a dramatic improvement in clarity.
Specialty Contact Lens Options
Every cornea affected by keratoconus has its own unique shape. Customization is essential.
At Bettner Vision, we offer several specialty lens designs:
Scleral Lenses
Scleral lenses are larger-diameter contact lenses that rest on the white part of the eye rather than directly on the cornea. They vault over the irregular surface, creating a fluid layer between the lens and the eye.
This fluid reservoir smooths the optical surface, improves clarity, and enhances comfort. Scleral lenses are often recommended for moderate-to-advanced keratoconus.
Rigid Gas Permeable Lenses
These smaller contact lenses rest on the cornea, creating a smooth refractive surface. They can provide crisp vision, though some patients prefer larger scleral designs for comfort.
Hybrid Lenses
Hybrid lenses combine a rigid center with a soft outer skirt. This design offers clear optics with added comfort.
Custom Soft Lenses for Irregular Cornea
In certain cases, specially designed soft lenses can improve vision in mild to moderate keratoconus.
The right option depends on detailed measurements and a comprehensive evaluation.
Get Specialty Contact Lenses in Colorado Springs
At , our eye care team provides detailed corneal evaluations, advanced imaging, and customized specialty lens fittings designed to improve clarity and support long-term eye health.
If you have been diagnosed with keratoconus or suspect that an irregular corneal shape is affecting your sight, book your eye care appointment today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is keratoconus genetic?
Keratoconus can run in families, though it does not affect every family member. If a close relative has keratoconus, regular comprehensive eye exams with corneal imaging are helpful.
Can keratoconus cause blindness?
Keratoconus rarely causes complete blindness. With modern specialty contact lenses and appropriate medical management, most patients maintain useful and stable vision.
Are scleral lenses comfortable?
Most patients adapt well to scleral lenses. Because they rest on the white part of the eye and hold a cushion of fluid over the cornea, many patients find them more comfortable than traditional rigid lenses.
How often will I need follow-up visits?
Follow-up frequency depends on the stage of keratoconus and the type of lens. Early in the fitting process, visits may be more frequent. Once stability is achieved, regular monitoring helps maintain corneal health and lens performance.