Five Things to Know about Keratoconus
1. Your Sleeping Position Matters
While someone has likely told you to stop rubbing your eyes, they may not have mentioned to stop sleeping with anything (pillow, blanket, or hand) pushed up against your eyes at night. Sleeping like this causes microtrauma to the eyes and can worsen keratoconus. Think about which side you sleep on at night. Odds are that your keratoconus (and vision) is worse in that eye!
2. You Are at Risk for Developing Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is found at high rates in patients with keratoconus. This is a dangerous condition that causes you to stop breathing multiple times each night. A lack of oxygen to the body can cause many serious problems including increasing your risk for weight gain, diabetes, depression, heart attack, and stroke. If you have any signs of sleep apnea such as excessive fatigue, loud snoring, gasping or choking at night, you should have a sleep study performed ASAP!
3. Watch Out for Flashes and Floaters
Patients with keratoconus are known to be at increased risk for developing retinal tears and retinal detachments. Be sure to have a dilated eye exam each year to check your retinal periphery. If you notice any changes to your vision such as new floaters or flickering and flashing lights, then get in to your eye doctor immediately.
4. Specialty Contact Lenses can Help
There are many options for specialty contact lenses, including custom soft, small diameter corneal gas permeable (GP) lenses, hybrid lenses, and scleral lenses that can help you see the best you can with your keratoconus. Your medical or vision insurance may even cover all or part of the cost.
5. Crosslinking Works – But Don’t Wait Too Long!
Corneal collagen crosslinking is the only FDA approved procedure that halts the progression of keratoconus. Patients with severe keratoconus resulting in a very thin or scarred cornea may not be eligible for the procedure. Talk to your doctor to see if you are a candidate.