Keratoconus and other corneal irregularities can make standard glasses and contact lenses ineffective. We evaluate corneal health, fit specialty lenses designed for irregular corneas, and coordinate with corneal specialists when needed.
Keratoconus is a progressive condition in which the cornea thins and bulges forward, creating an irregular shape that causes vision distortion, ghosting, and glare that glasses cannot fully correct. Other corneal irregularities — including those resulting from prior surgery, injury, or scarring — can produce similar challenges. At Santé Eyecare, we use corneal topography to map the surface of your cornea with precision, monitor progression over time, and fit specialty contact lenses — including scleral and rigid gas-permeable lenses — that provide dramatically improved vision by vaulting over the irregular surface. When surgical intervention is needed, we co-manage with trusted corneal specialists.
If you've been told your vision can't be fully corrected with glasses, or if contacts don't seem to give you clear vision, a corneal evaluation may explain why.
Patients with distorted vision not correctable with glasses
If you experience ghosting, multiple images, or distortion that glasses don't resolve — especially if it has been worsening — keratoconus or another corneal irregularity may be the cause. Corneal topography can identify this precisely.
Those with a keratoconus diagnosis seeking management
If you have already been diagnosed with keratoconus, we provide ongoing monitoring, specialty lens fitting, and coordination with corneal specialists for cross-linking or transplant procedures as needed. We become your long-term eye care partner for this condition.
Patients with irregular astigmatism or post-surgical corneal changes
Irregular astigmatism from LASIK, RK, corneal transplant, or injury creates challenges that standard lenses cannot address. Specialty lens designs including scleral lenses can restore functional vision even in significantly irregular corneas.
Managing corneal conditions requires specialized equipment, expertise, and patience. We take the time to map your cornea accurately, select the right lens design, and fine-tune the fit until your vision is optimized.
We use corneal topography to create a detailed map of the curvature, thickness, and elevation of your corneal surface. This data establishes a baseline for monitoring progression and guides specialty lens selection with far greater precision than standard measurements allow.
We fit scleral lenses and rigid gas-permeable (RGP) lenses specifically designed for irregular corneas. Scleral lenses vault entirely over the cornea, creating a smooth optical surface from a fluid reservoir — providing remarkable visual clarity for patients who have not found adequate correction with standard lenses.
When corneal cross-linking to halt progression or corneal transplantation is indicated, we coordinate the referral to a trusted corneal surgeon and provide pre- and post-operative care. You remain our patient throughout the process — we do not simply hand you off.
Have a question not answered here? Feel free to call or text our team.
Keratoconus is a progressive corneal condition in which the normally round cornea gradually thins and begins to bulge outward into a cone shape. This distorts the way light enters the eye, causing blurry, distorted, or doubled vision that cannot be corrected by standard glasses or soft contact lenses. It typically begins in adolescence or early adulthood. With early detection and proper management, most patients maintain functional vision for decades.
In the very earliest stages, glasses may provide adequate correction. However, as keratoconus progresses, the irregular corneal surface causes distortions that glasses — which correct for regular astigmatism — cannot fully address. Standard soft contact lenses are similarly limited. Rigid gas-permeable or scleral lenses, which create a smooth optical surface by bridging the irregular cornea with a fluid layer, typically provide significantly better vision for patients with moderate to advanced keratoconus.
Scleral lenses are large-diameter rigid gas-permeable contact lenses that vault completely over the cornea and rest on the sclera (the white of the eye). The space between the lens and the corneal surface is filled with sterile saline, creating a smooth, regular optical surface regardless of the cornea's shape. Scleral lenses offer excellent visual acuity for keratoconus and irregular corneas, and many patients find them more comfortable than standard RGP lenses because they never touch the sensitive cornea directly.
Keratoconus is typically progressive, particularly during adolescence and early adulthood. Progression tends to slow or stabilize in many patients by their mid-30s. However, progression rate varies significantly between individuals. Regular monitoring with corneal topography is essential to detect changes and determine if corneal cross-linking — a procedure that strengthens corneal collagen and can halt progression — is indicated.
Keratoconus cannot be cured, but it can be managed effectively. Specialty contact lenses (scleral and RGP) restore functional vision. Corneal cross-linking (CXL) is a procedure using UV light and riboflavin drops to strengthen corneal fibers and halt progression — it does not restore lost corneal shape but prevents further deterioration. For advanced keratoconus that is no longer manageable with contact lenses, partial or full corneal transplantation may be considered. The goal is to preserve and optimize your vision at every stage.
Schedule an evaluation — we'll map your cornea and talk through every option available to you.