Keratoconus - Eye Disease Causes

What is keratoconus?

Keratoconus is a progressive eye disease in which the cornea — the clear front surface of the eye — gradually thins and bulges outward into a cone shape, causing distorted vision, increased light sensitivity, and astigmatism that cannot be corrected with standard glasses. It affects approximately 1 in 375 people, typically first appearing in teenagers or young adults in their early 20s.

What are the symptoms of keratoconus?

Symptoms of keratoconus include blurry or distorted vision, double or shadowed vision, increased sensitivity to light, halos around lights, and decreased night vision. In later stages, the cornea thins and bulges into a cone shape, making standard glasses ineffective at correcting vision.

Can keratoconus be treated without surgery?

Yes. Holcomb C3-R® cross-linking is a non-invasive, non-surgical procedure that uses riboflavin eye drops and ultraviolet light to strengthen the cornea and halt keratoconus progression. It does not require removal of corneal tissue, has a 99.3% success rate, and requires only one day of recovery.

What is the difference between Holcomb C3-R and standard cross-linking?

Holcomb C3-R® is a non-invasive (epi-on) cross-linking procedure that leaves the corneal epithelium intact, treats both eyes the same day, and requires only one day of recovery. Standard CXL (epi-off cross-linking) scrapes off the top layer of the cornea, treats one eye at a time, and carries significantly higher risks including severe pain, corneal haze, infection, and up to three months of recovery.

Are Intacs permanent?

Intacs are not permanent — they are completely removable and exchangeable. They are micro-thin crescent-shaped inserts placed within the cornea to flatten and reshape its curvature without removing any tissue, and can be adjusted or removed if needed.

Does keratoconus cause blindness?

Keratoconus does not cause complete blindness, but it can severely impair vision if left untreated. With timely treatment through Holcomb C3-R® cross-linking, Intacs®, or other procedures, most patients can preserve functional vision and avoid corneal transplant surgery.