Vision Therapy in Myrtle Beach

Keratoconus and Contact Lenses: Finding the Perfect Fit

(843) 903-6262

Understanding Keratoconus: A Vision Disorder

Your cornea, the clear, round, front surface of your eye, is the first ocular tissue that light passes through on its way to the retina. Keratoconus causes the cornea to thin, steepen, and form an irregular cone-shape. This transformation causes light to focus on the retina incorrectly, which leads to distorted vision.

woman putting in contact


What Are the Symptoms of Keratoconus?

There are two primary ways keratoconus affects your vision, and it shows up as:

  • Irregular Astigmatism: The cornea, which typically has a smooth spherical shape, undergoes a transformation into a cone-like structure. This alteration results in a wavy and uneven corneal surface, known as irregular astigmatism.
  • Nearsightedness: As the front part of your eye expands, your vision becomes increasingly nearsighted. This means that you can only see objects clearly when they are up close (however in keratoconus, even objects at near may still appear distorted). Anything at a distance appears blurry.
  • Variable or quickly changing vision. The inability to achieve clear vision in glasses or soft contacts when it had been possible in the recent past.

Recognizing the signs of keratoconus is essential, as early detection can lead to more effective treatment. Keep an eye out for the following symptoms:

  • Double or triple vision when using just one eye
  • Blurriness of objects both near and far
  • Perception of bright lights with halos around them
  • Presence of light streaks
  • The presence of ghost images
  • Persistent blurry vision that affects your ability to drive safely

adding contact drops

Causes and Risk Factors: Can it Damage Your Vision?

The precise cause of keratoconus remains unknown. Researchers believe that some individuals may have a genetic predisposition to the condition.

However, several factors have been associated with the development of keratoconus:

Family History: If a family member has been diagnosed with keratoconus, there is an increased likelihood of inheriting the condition. If you have keratoconus, it is advisable to have your children's eyes examined for early signs, by the age of 10 at the latest. Early detection of keratoconus is crucial for successful management and prevention of severe disease.

Certain Medical Conditions: Research has indicated a correlation between keratoconus and systemic conditions such as Down syndrome, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, osteogenesis imperfecta, retinitis pigmentosa, sleep apnea, Lebers congenital amaurosis, Marfan’s, and other connective tissue disorders.Inflammation: Inflammatory conditions like allergies, asthma, or atopic eye disease have the potential to weaken the corneal tissue over time.

Eye Rubbing: Vigorous and persistent eye rubbing can lead to corneal damage. Excessive eye rubbing can accelerate its progression for individuals already diagnosed with keratoconus.


Scleral Lenses for Keratoconus: The Game-Changer

Keratoconus presents a unique challenge when it comes to vision correction. Traditional gas permeable? contact lenses often prove ineffective as they cannot conform to the irregular corneal shape. This is where scleral lenses step in as an innovative solution.

Here are four compelling reasons to consider scleral lenses for keratoconus:

  • Enhanced Comfort

    Scleral lenses are larger in diameter compared to traditional rigid gas permeable contact lenses, spreading their weight across a broader, less sensitive area, ensuring comfort during extended wear.

  • Improved Vision

    Unlike glasses, which often offer limited visual improvement for keratoconus patients, scleral lenses can significantly enhance vision clarity and stability.

  • Constant Moisture

    Scleral lenses provide a continuous reservoir of moisture between the lens and the eye's surface, ensuring a soothing and moisture-rich environment for the eyes.

  • No More Eye Rubbing

    The design of scleral lenses minimizes the need for eye rubbing by reducing inciting factors of ocular surface and lid inflammation due to allergy response, reducing the risk of further corneal damage and discomfort.

Patient Reviews
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239 Reviews
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- Nov. 05, 2024
Thomas and crew do a wonderful job taking care our our eyes. I would invite you to give them a call ... for an appointment today. God bless
- Nov. 02, 2024
Dr. Lane and her staff were wonderful. They were very thorough and made me feel comfortable and care... d for throughout my eye exam. I would not hesitate to recommend them to anyone in the Myrtle Beach area looking for and eye doctor.
- Oct. 27, 2024
Dr. Alavi is wonderful. Love this practice.
- Oct. 22, 2024
Receive great care
- Sep. 29, 2024
Dr Tom is great
- Sep. 29, 2024
Appointments are always on schedule with no waiting. Staff is friendly and efficient!
- Sep. 12, 2024
The waiting room is large and airy. It’s clean, neat and staffed by at least two people. The staff... was friendly, informative and familiar with all the state of the art equipment they used for my exam. I had called earlier in the day with what I felt was an emergency and they fit me right in which I was very pleased with. I have another follow up and I trust that what I’m told needs to be done will be the correct path to follow. Happy I found this Optometrist.
- Jul. 29, 2024
Very helpful, great selection of eyewear
- Jul. 27, 2024
Dr. Weshefsky is a talented provider.
- Jul. 26, 2024
Friendly staff .
- Jul. 24, 2024
Best place at Carolina Forest area!
- Jul. 23, 2024
Carolina Forest Eyecare care about the overall health of your eye from normal eyes to eyes with conc... erns such as cateracts. I have had dry eyes for 10+ years and they have a means to attack the problem vs using drops.
- Jul. 19, 2024
GREAT STAFF AND FAMILY ORIENTED! ALWAYS UP TO DATE WITH ALL THE LATEST EQUIPMENT !!! A STEP AHEAD ... OF THE REST !
- Jul. 11, 2024
They fixed my glasses for free! They kept sliding off my face and they bent them back for me. It's a... small thing but if you have glasses you understand it. Thank you all so much!
- Jul. 09, 2024
The only Dr. Helping me with my dry eyes
- Jun. 25, 2024
The knowledge and calmness of Dr Hannah is enough reason to visit this location. The staff were jus... t the icing on the cupcake. I felt comfortable, heard, respected, and valued. It was a great experience!
- Jun. 14, 2024
Carolina Forest Family Eyecare has the lowest cash price for a visit I have found. They have top of ... the line tech, good hours, and are understanding of cancellations and reschedules. The doctors have also helped me manage how my other health issues effect my eyes and have been helpful finding solutions. They make sure to explain everything and the images they take very well. I am very happy going there and recommended them to my whole family.
- Jun. 14, 2024
This office, and staff, are always on time and very friendly! Dr Lane was wonderful! Very kind and ... understanding.
- Jun. 13, 2024
Dr. Hannah Lane and the entire staff at Carolina Forest Family Eyecare were very thorough, efficient... , and friendly. Dr. Lane has even referred me to her colleague for an upcoming appt. that he specializes in. I am very happy my aunt referred me to your facility.
- Jun. 11, 2024
there is always room for improvement, but everyone was awesome.

View All 239 Reviews

Scleral Lenses in Myrtle Beach

Our optometry practice in Myrtle Beach

Photograph of Thomas  Weshefsky
Hours
  • Monday 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
  • Tuesday 11:00 am - 6:00 pm
  • Wednesday 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
  • Thursday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Friday 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
  • Saturday Closed
  • Sunday Closed
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Experience Clarity with Scleral Lenses from Carolina Forest Family Eyecare

Scleral lenses have the potential to provide life-changing improvement in vision clarity and comfort for those battling keratoconus.If you or a loved one has keratoconus and would like to explore the benefits of scleral lenses, schedule a consultation with Carolina Forest Family Eyecare today. Your journey to clear vision begins here.[b]

(843) 903-6262