If you have been diagnosed with keratoconus, you may feel overwhelmed with questions like: What is the best keratoconus treatment in Calgary? Will I go blind? Can it be cured?
At Mission Eye Care, we specialize in keratoconus management in Calgary, offering cutting-edge, evidence-based care tailored to each patient’s unique needs. Whether you are just starting to notice symptoms or looking for advanced treatment options, this guide will walk you through what keratoconus is, how it is treated, and where to find the best help in Calgary.
What Is Keratoconus?
Keratoconus is an eye disease where the cornea (the clear, dome-shaped front of the eye) gradually thins and bulges into a cone-like shape. This distortion affects how light enters the eye, causing blurred or distorted vision, increased light sensitivity, and difficulty seeing at night (Canadian Association of Optometrists, 2023). It usually starts in the teenage years or early 20s and may progress over time.
Early Signs of Keratoconus
Many people do not realize they have keratoconus until their vision becomes noticeably worse. Common warning signs include:
Frequent prescription changes for glasses
Blurry or distorted vision not corrected by glasses
Increased glare or halos, especially at night
Eye rubbing due to discomfort, itching, or allergies
If you are noticing these symptoms, book a comprehensive eye exam with an optometrist experienced in diagnosing keratoconus. At Mission Eye Care, we offer advanced keratoconus treatment in Calgary to help preserve your vision and slow the progression of the disease. Early detection is key to managing the disease.
Is Keratoconus Permanent?
Yes, keratoconus is considered a chronic, progressive condition, but it can be effectively managed. The good news is that with early diagnosis and expert keratoconus treatment in Calgary, such as customized care plans, you can slow or even halt its progression and maintain clear, comfortable vision long term.
What Is the Best Keratoconus Treatment in Calgary?
There is no one-size-fits-all answer. Keratoconus treatment in Calgary depends on the severity of the disease, your age, and your vision needs. Here are the most common and effective options:
Standard glasses or soft contact lenses often do not correct the distorted vision caused by keratoconus. Custom contact lenses offer a more effective solution:
- Scleral Lenses for Keratoconus: These large, gas-permeable lenses vault over the irregular cornea and rest on the white of the eye, creating a smooth surface for light to enter. They offer crisp, stable vision with excellent comfort and are one of the most recommended options for moderate to advanced keratoconus. Learn more about scleral lenses in Calgary.
- Hybrid Lenses: These lenses combine a rigid centre with a soft outer ring, providing clearer vision with the comfort of a soft lens.
Both types are available through Mission Eye Care’s specialty lens clinic, where each lens is custom-designed for your unique eyes.
Corneal cross-linking (CXL) is a procedure that can help slow or stop the progression of keratoconus. It works by applying riboflavin (vitamin B2) eye drops and a controlled dose of UV light to help strengthen the collagen fibres in your cornea. Research supports this treatment as highly effective for stabilizing keratoconus when done early (Deshmukh et al., 2023).
For patients with early-stage keratoconus, specially designed glasses may still provide adequate correction. However, as the disease progresses, most patients transition to contact lenses for clearer, more stable vision.
In severe cases where scarring or extreme corneal thinning occurs, a corneal transplant may be necessary. This is typically a last-resort option, and many patients can avoid surgery with proactive management.
More FAQs About Keratoconus Treatment in Calgary
If you have recently been diagnosed with keratoconus or are exploring your options, you probably have a lot of questions. From how the disease progresses to the best treatment plans available, here are answers to some of the most common questions about keratoconus treatment in Calgary.
Keratoconus usually progresses over time, especially during adolescence and early adulthood (Canadian Association of Optometrists, 2023). However, progression tends to slow with age. That is why early treatment is crucial in helping to prevent long-term vision problems. According to research, combining treatments such as scleral lenses with corneal cross-linking can be especially effective in preserving vision and slowing disease progression (Deshmukh et al., 2023).
While there is no cure, modern treatment options make it entirely possible to live a normal, active life with keratoconus. With early diagnosis, personalized treatment, and regular monitoring, many patients achieve clear, functional vision for decades.
In many cases, yes. Since scleral lenses are considered medically necessary for treating keratoconus, many insurance providers cover a portion of the associated costs. Mission Eye Care can provide documentation to help support insurance claims and assist you in navigating your benefits.
Why Choose Mission Eye Care for Keratoconus Treatment in Calgary?
Mission Eye Care is one of the leading clinics for keratoconus treatment in Calgary, specializing in custom contact lenses. Our team comprises residency-trained optometrists specializing in corneal disease and contact lens fitting. We use advanced imaging and diagnostic tools to monitor progression and tailor your care every step of the way.
We have also written extensively about keratoconus lenses in this blog post, as well as what to expect when getting scleral lenses in Calgary.
Take the First Step Today
If you or a loved one is dealing with blurry vision, frequent prescription changes, or has already been diagnosed with keratoconus, do not wait. Book a comprehensive eye exam at Mission Eye Care to explore your best keratoconus treatment options in Calgary.
Dr. Alia Cappellani, Optometrist FAAO, FSLS, Dipl. ABO
Dr. Cappellani is a board-certified, residency-trained optometrist at Mission Eye Care in Calgary. She has a clinical focus on corneal disease, scleral lenses, myopia management, and advanced dry eye care. She is a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry and the Scleral Lens Society, and is welcoming new patients.
References
- Canadian Association of Optometrists. (2023, March 18). Keratoconus. https://opto.ca/eye-health-library/keratoconus
- Deshmukh, R., Ong, Z. Z., Rampat, R., del Barrio, J. L. A., Barua, A., Ang, M., Mehta, J. S., Said, D. G., Dua, H. S., Ambrósio Jr, R., & Ting, D. S. J. (2023). Management of keratoconus: an updated review. Frontiers in Medicine, 10, 1212314. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmed.2023.1212314
