Living with Keratoconus: Understanding Your Options for Keratoconus Treatment in Leicester & Irthlingborough
Keratoconus Treatment: What Are Your Options in Leicester?
Have you experienced blurred vision? It might be Keratoconus. If you’ve noticed your vision becoming more distorted, lights appearing to have halos, or a sudden need for frequent prescription changes, you might be dealing with keratoconus. This progressive eye condition affects the shape of your cornea, making standard glasses and contact lenses less effective over time.
At Bellamy Eyecare, we understand how frustrating it can be when your vision changes unexpectedly. The good news? With the right diagnosis and treatment, keratoconus can be managed effectively, helping you regain clarity and confidence in your sight.
What is Keratoconus?
Keratoconus is a progressive, degenerative eye condition that affects the cornea – the transparent front surface of the eye. In a healthy eye, the cornea is smooth and dome-shaped, allowing light to pass through evenly, focusing it precisely on the retina to create clear vision. However, in keratoconus, the corneal tissue thins and weakens over time, causing it to bulge outward into a cone-like shape.
This irregular curvature distorts the way light enters the eye, leading to blurred, warped, and often unstable vision that standard glasses and soft contact lenses cannot correct effectively.
How Does Keratoconus Affect Vision?
Because the cornea plays such a critical role in focusing light, even subtle changes to its shape can have a significant impact on vision clarity. As keratoconus progresses, the distortion increases, making it harder to perform daily tasks like reading, driving, or recognising faces.
Key ways keratoconus affects vision:
✔ Irregular Astigmatism – As the cornea becomes more conical, it causes light rays to scatter, leading to multiple or distorted images.
✔ Higher-Order Aberrations – Unlike regular astigmatism, which can be corrected with standard lenses, keratoconus introduces complex distortions that require advanced lens technology to correct.
✔ Fluctuating Vision – Many patients with keratoconus struggle with unstable vision, experiencing sudden blurriness that can change throughout the day.
✔ Reduced Contrast Sensitivity – Objects may appear faded or less defined, particularly in low-light conditions or at night.
Common Signs and Symptoms of Keratoconus
Keratoconus often starts subtly, which is why many people don’t realise they have it until the condition progresses. Symptoms can vary depending on the stage of the disease, but the following are some of the most common signs:
Early-Stage Symptoms (Mild Keratoconus)
🔹 Blurry or distorted vision – text or objects may appear stretched or shadowed.
🔹 Increased light sensitivity – especially in bright conditions or when exposed to oncoming headlights at night.
🔹 Frequent prescription changes – yet new glasses never seem quite right.
🔹 Mild ghosting or halos around lights – more noticeable in low-light conditions.
At this stage, many patients assume they are simply becoming more short-sighted or have developed astigmatism, when in fact, their cornea is changing shape.
Moderate Keratoconus Symptoms
🔹 Worsening visual distortion, making it difficult to focus on objects clearly.
🔹 Significant glare and starbursts – bright lights cause extreme discomfort.
🔹 Double vision or ghost images – even in one eye alone.
🔹 Increasing difficulty with night vision, making driving unsafe.
Advanced Keratoconus Symptoms
🔹 Severe visual impairment, where daily activities such as reading or watching TV become challenging.
🔹 Soft contact lenses or glasses no longer work, as they can’t sit correctly on the misshapen cornea.
🔹 Sudden worsening of vision – in some cases, the cornea becomes extremely thin and prone to small tears (corneal hydrops), which can cause swelling and scarring.
Why Early Diagnosis Of Keratoconus Matters
Keratoconus is a progressive disease, meaning it worsens over time – sometimes rapidly. Early detection is crucial because:
✔ The sooner keratoconus is diagnosed, the more treatment options are available to slow its progression.
✔ Patients who are diagnosed early can be fitted with specialist contact lenses to regain their clear vision and monitored to see if corneal cross-linking is advisable.
✔ Regular monitoring helps track changes in corneal thickness and shape, allowing for timely interventions.
Who is Most at Risk for Keratoconus?
While anyone can develop keratoconus, certain factors may increase the risk:
🔹 Family History – There is a strong genetic link, so if a parent or sibling has keratoconus, you may be more likely to develop it.
🔹 Frequent Eye Rubbing – Chronic eye rubbing has been linked to keratoconus progression, possibly due to mechanical stress on the cornea.
🔹 Underlying Medical Conditions – Conditions such as Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, Down syndrome, and Marfan syndrome are associated with keratoconus.
🔹 Allergies & Atopic Conditions – People with hay fever, asthma, or eczema often rub their eyes more frequently, which may contribute to corneal thinning.
🔹 Hormonal Changes – Some research suggests that hormonal fluctuations during puberty and pregnancy may trigger keratoconus or accelerate its progression.
💡 If you fall into one of these risk categories, regular eye exams are essential to catch any early signs of corneal thinning.
Next Steps: Should You Be Concerned?
If you recognise any of these symptoms, or if you’ve been told you have rapidly changing vision, it’s worth getting checked by an optometrist experienced in keratoconus diagnosis and management.
At Bellamy Eyecare, we specialise in detecting keratoconus at its earliest stages using state-of-the-art corneal mapping technology.
Diagnosing Keratoconus: How We Detect It Early
Keratoconus can be challenging to diagnose in its early stages because its symptoms – blurred vision, light sensitivity, and frequent prescription changes – often resemble more common vision problems like astigmatism or myopia. However, early detection is critical to managing the condition effectively and preventing severe vision impairment.
At Bellamy Eyecare, we use specialist diagnostic technology to detect keratoconus at its earliest stages, ensuring patients receive the best possible care before significant vision loss occurs.
Why Standard Eye Tests Often Miss Keratoconus
Many people with early keratoconus visit their optician thinking they just need a stronger prescription, but conventional eye tests often fail to pick up the underlying issue. Standard eye tests are designed to check for refractive errors (short-sightedness, long-sightedness, and astigmatism) but don’t always assess the shape and thickness of the cornea, which is key to diagnosing keratoconus.
🔎 Example: A patient with mild keratoconus may be prescribed glasses for astigmatism but continue struggling with blurry vision, glare, and ghosting – even with an updated prescription. Without advanced testing, the true cause (keratoconus) could go undiagnosed for years.
Advanced Tests for Detecting Keratoconus
At Bellamy Eyecare, we go beyond standard eye exams by using state-of-the-art diagnostic tools to assess the structure of the cornea and detect even the earliest signs of keratoconus.
1. Corneal Topography – The Gold Standard for Early Detection
🔹 What it is: A non-invasive, detailed scan that maps the curvature of the cornea, detecting even subtle irregularities before symptoms appear.
🔹 How it works: A special camera captures thousands of elevation points on the corneal surface, creating a colour-coded map that reveals abnormal thinning or bulging.
🔹 Why it matters: Corneal topography can identify keratoconus before it affects vision, allowing early intervention.
📌 At Bellamy Eyecare, we routinely perform corneal topography for patients who experience frequent prescription changes or unusual visual distortions.
2. Pachymetry – Measuring Corneal Thickness
🔹 What it is: A test that measures corneal thickness to detect progressive thinning, a hallmark of keratoconus.
🔹 How it works: A handheld probe or non-contact imaging device measures the thickness of the cornea at multiple points.
🔹 Why it matters: A thinner-than-normal cornea could indicate keratoconus, especially when paired with irregular curvature seen in topography scans.
🔎 Example: If a patient has no previous history of eye disease but shows significant thinning in the cornea, this could signal early-stage keratoconus – even if their vision seems relatively normal.
3. Slit Lamp Examination – Detecting Corneal Changes
🔹 What it is: A high-magnification microscope that allows optometrists to examine the eye’s surface and internal structures.
🔹 How it works: Using a thin, bright light beam, the optometrist assesses the cornea for scarring, thinning, or the presence of Vogt’s striae (fine stress lines associated with keratoconus).
🔹 Why it matters: This exam helps confirm keratoconus in moderate to advanced stages and identifies complications like corneal scarring that may require treatment.
📌 We use this test alongside corneal mapping and pachymetry to get a complete picture of your eye health.
4. Keratometry – Measuring Corneal Curvature
🔹 What it is: A test that measures the curvature of the cornea using a light reflection technique.
🔹 How it works: The instrument shines a light onto the cornea and measures how the reflection changes based on corneal shape.
🔹 Why it matters: If keratoconus is present, the reflection will be distorted, indicating an irregular corneal surface.
🔎 Example: In early-stage keratoconus, keratometry readings will show mild steepening of the cornea, while in advanced cases, the readings become highly irregular, confirming progression.
How We Differentiate Keratoconus from Other Vision Conditions
Because early keratoconus can resemble astigmatism, our advanced tests allow us to distinguish between the two conditions:
| Condition | Cause | Can Glasses Correct It? | Diagnostic Method |
| Astigmatism | Cornea is slightly oval-shaped but structurally stable | Yes, glasses or standard contact lenses work | Standard eye test |
| Keratoconus | Cornea progressively thins and bulges into a cone shape | No, glasses become less effective as the cornea changes | Corneal topography, pachymetry, slit lamp exam |
📌 Why This Matters: Many people are initially misdiagnosed with simple astigmatism when they actually have early-stage keratoconus. Getting the right diagnosis early ensures the best treatment options are available.
Who Should Get Tested for Keratoconus?
You should consider specialist testing for keratoconus if you experience:
✔ Frequent changes in your prescription that don’t seem to improve vision clarity.
✔ Persistent glare, halos, or ghosting that doesn’t improve with glasses.
✔ Increased light sensitivity or difficulty seeing at night.
✔ A family history of keratoconus.
✔ Problems with standard contact lenses, including discomfort or poor fit.
📌 At Bellamy Eyecare, we offer comprehensive keratoconus screening for anyone experiencing unusual vision changes – ensuring early diagnosis and access to the best treatments available.
What Happens After a Diagnosis?
If keratoconus is detected, the next step is developing a tailored management plan. Treatments range from specialist contact lenses to corneal cross-linking, depending on the severity of the condition.
Why Standard Glasses Don’t Work for Keratoconus
Many people initially assume their vision problems can be solved with a stronger prescription, but traditional glasses and soft contact lenses are often ineffective as keratoconus progresses.
This is Because:
- The cornea’s irregular shape prevents light from focusing evenly.
- Glasses can’t reshape the cornea, so vision remains distorted.
- Soft contact lenses may no longer fit correctly, leading to discomfort and poor vision clarity.
That’s why specialist contact lenses and advanced treatments are the best way to manage keratoconus effectively.
What Are the Best Treatment Options for Keratoconus?
Managing keratoconus effectively requires a personalised approach, as the condition varies in severity among individuals. At Bellamy Eyecare, we offer a comprehensive range of treatments tailored to your specific needs, aiming to enhance vision clarity and halt disease progression.
1. Specialist Contact Lenses
For many keratoconus patients, specially designed contact lenses provide significant visual improvement by creating a smooth optical surface over the irregular cornea. Our advanced diagnostic equipment, including corneal topography and OCT scanning, ensures precise lens fitting for optimal comfort and vision.
Types of Specialist Contact Lenses:
- Rigid Gas Permeable (RGP) Lenses: These hard lenses maintain their shape on the eye, compensating for corneal irregularities and providing sharp vision. They allow oxygen to reach the cornea, promoting eye health. NKCF.org
- Scleral Lenses: Larger in diameter, scleral lenses vault over the cornea and rest on the sclera (the white part of the eye). This design offers stability, comfort, and improved vision by creating a tear-filled reservoir that masks corneal distortions. Silicon Valley Eye Physicians
- Hybrid Lenses: Combining an RGP center with a soft peripheral skirt, hybrid lenses provide the clarity of hard lenses with the comfort of soft lenses, suitable for those seeking both sharp vision and comfort.
- Custom Soft Lenses for Keratoconus: Thicker than standard soft lenses, these are tailored to accommodate the irregular corneal shape, offering improved vision for individuals with mild to moderate keratoconus.
At Bellamy Eyecare, we understand that each patient’s eyes are unique. Our experienced optometrists work closely with you to determine the most suitable lens type, ensuring a comfortable fit and optimal visual acuity.
2. Corneal Cross-Linking (CXL)
Corneal Cross-Linking is a minimally invasive procedure designed to strengthen the corneal tissue, thereby slowing or halting the progression of keratoconus. This treatment is particularly beneficial for patients in the early to moderate stages of the condition.
Procedure Overview:
- Application of Riboflavin Drops: Vitamin B2 (riboflavin) eye drops are applied to the cornea.
- Ultraviolet (UV) Light Exposure: The cornea is then exposed to a controlled amount of UV light, which activates the riboflavin.
- Strengthening Corneal Bonds: This activation leads to the formation of new collagen cross-links, enhancing the cornea’s rigidity and stability.
CXL has been shown to be effective in over 90% of patients, often preventing the need for more invasive procedures in the future.
3. Surgical Interventions
In advanced cases of keratoconus where other treatments are insufficient, surgical options may be considered to restore vision.
Surgical Options Include:
- Intracorneal Ring Segments (ICRS): Small, semi-circular implants are inserted into the cornea to flatten its shape, reducing irregularities and improving vision. This procedure can be combined with CXL for enhanced stability.
- Corneal Transplantation: In severe cases with significant corneal scarring or thinning, a corneal transplant (keratoplasty) may be necessary. This involves replacing the damaged cornea with healthy donor tissue. Advancements in surgical techniques have improved the success rates of this procedure.
It’s important to note that with early diagnosis and appropriate management, the majority of keratoconus patients can achieve satisfactory vision without the need for surgical intervention.
At Bellamy Eyecare, our commitment is to provide personalised care using the latest advancements in eye health. If you experience symptoms of keratoconus or have been diagnosed with the condition, we encourage you to schedule a consultation. Our team will work with you to develop a tailored treatment plan aimed at preserving and enhancing your vision.
Finding the Right Keratoconus Specialist in Leicester & Irthlingborough
If you’ve recently been diagnosed with keratoconus – or suspect you may have it – choosing the right optician for your care is one of the most important decisions you can make. Not all opticians have the expertise or technology to properly diagnose and manage keratoconus, and settling for the wrong provider can lead to frustrating, ineffective treatment and wasted time.
So, how do you ensure you’re seeing a specialist optometrist who understands the complexities of keratoconus? Below, we break down the key factors to consider, questions to ask, and how Bellamy Eyecare ensures our patients receive expert, personalised care.
Why Not Every Optician Can Treat Keratoconus
Most high-street opticians focus on general vision care, offering standard eye tests, glasses, and soft contact lenses. While this is fine for conditions like myopia (short-sightedness) or presbyopia (age-related vision changes), keratoconus requires a completely different approach – one that not every optician is equipped to provide.
💡 Here’s why:
🔹 Specialist Equipment is Required – Standard eye tests often miss keratoconus, especially in the early stages. Advanced corneal mapping technology is needed to accurately diagnose and track progression.
🔹 Keratoconus Contact Lenses Require Expert Fitting – Unlike regular contact lenses, keratoconus lenses must be custom-fitted to match the unique shape of your cornea. A poor fit can cause discomfort, poor vision, and even corneal damage.
🔹 Continuity of Care is Crucial – Since keratoconus progresses over time, regular monitoring by the same optometrist ensures your treatment plan is adjusted as needed. Many large optical chains rotate staff, meaning you might see a different optometrist at each visit – this can lead to inconsistent care and missed changes in your condition.
Questions to Ask When Choosing a Keratoconus Optician
Before committing to an optician for your keratoconus care, it’s essential to ask the right questions to ensure they have the necessary experience and technology. Here’s what to look for:
1. Does the optician have experience treating keratoconus?
✅ What to ask:
- How many keratoconus patients do you see regularly?
- Do you specialise in fitting keratoconus contact lenses?
- What experience do you have with advanced keratoconus treatments?
💡 Why it matters: Keratoconus management isn’t just about vision correction – it requires ongoing care and adjustments as the condition progresses. Opticians who only see a handful of keratoconus patients a year may not have the depth of experience needed to manage complex cases.
At Bellamy Eyecare, we specialise in keratoconus and have years of experience fitting custom lenses, ensuring each patient receives precise, tailored care.
2. What technology is used to diagnose and monitor keratoconus?
✅ What to ask:
- Do you offer corneal topography to map the shape of my cornea?
- Can you measure corneal thickness (pachymetry) to track progression?
- How often will you reassess my condition?
💡 Why it matters: Advanced diagnostic technology is essential for early detection and monitoring. If an optician doesn’t offer corneal mapping, they may not be able to properly track changes in your condition.
At Bellamy Eyecare, we use state-of-the-art corneal mapping and pachymetry to ensure precise diagnosis and ongoing monitoring.
3. What contact lens options do you offer for keratoconus?
✅ What to ask:
- Do you provide rigid gas permeable (RGP), scleral, hybrid, and custom soft lenses?
- How do you ensure a proper fit for keratoconus lenses?
- What happens if my lenses aren’t comfortable or don’t improve my vision?
💡 Why it matters: Many opticians only offer standard soft contact lenses, which do not work for keratoconus. A specialist optician should offer multiple keratoconus lens options and have expertise in fitting them correctly.
At Bellamy Eyecare, we offer:
✔ Custom-fitted RGP lenses for sharper vision.
✔ Scleral lenses for maximum comfort and stability.
✔ Hybrid lenses for a balance of clarity and comfort.
✔ Custom soft lenses for mild keratoconus.
Our fitting process includes corneal mapping and follow-up adjustments, ensuring your lenses provide the best possible vision and comfort.
4. What treatment options are available beyond contact lenses?
✅ What to ask:
- Do you offer corneal cross-linking (CXL) to slow disease progression?
- Can you refer me for intracorneal rings or corneal transplant surgery if needed?
- How do you determine the best treatment plan for me?
💡 Why it matters: Contact lenses are the first line of treatment, but they don’t stop keratoconus from progressing. If your optician doesn’t discuss other treatment options, you may miss the opportunity to stabilise your condition before it worsens.
At Bellamy Eyecare, we work with top ophthalmologists to refer patients for advanced treatments like CXL, intracorneal rings, and corneal transplants when necessary.
5. Are there flexible payment options available?
✅ What to ask:
- Do you offer payment plans for specialist lenses?
- Are there options to spread the cost of treatment?
- What are the costs involved in ongoing keratoconus management?
💡 Why it matters: Specialist keratoconus contact lenses can be expensive, and regular check-ups are needed to monitor progression. A good optician will offer flexible payment options to make treatment accessible.
At Bellamy Eyecare, we offer Eyeplan membership, which allows patients to spread the cost of eye care and receive discounts on specialist lenses and treatments.
Why Choose Bellamy Eyecare for Keratoconus Treatment?
Choosing the right keratoconus specialist is about more than just getting a diagnosis – it’s about long-term care, expertise, and ensuring you have access to the best treatment options.
At Bellamy Eyecare, we provide:
✔ Expertise in fitting custom keratoconus contact lenses.
✔ State-of-the-art diagnostic technology, including corneal topography and pachymetry.
✔ A patient-first approach – you’ll see the same optometrist at every visit.
✔ Bespoke treatment plans, tailored to your unique vision needs.
✔ Flexible payment plans to make specialist eye care more accessible.
📍 Serving Leicester, Irthlingborough, Oadby, Wigston, Market Harborough & surrounding areas.
Making Keratoconus Care Affordable with Payment Plans
We understand that specialist eye care is an investment in your vision. That’s why we offer flexible payment plans through Eyeplan, allowing you to spread the cost of:
- Specialist contact lenses.
- Comprehensive keratoconus assessments.
- Ongoing eye care support.
For a small monthly fee, Eyeplan members benefit from:
✔ Unlimited private eye care.
✔ Savings on glasses and specialist lenses.
✔ Peace of mind knowing their vision is in safe hands.
💡 Find out more about Eyeplan at Bellamy Eyecare here.
Take Control of Your Vision – Book a Consultation Today
Keratoconus doesn’t have to limit your daily life. With the right support, clearer, more comfortable vision is possible.
📞 Book an appointment at Bellamy Eyecare today and let’s find the best solution for your eyes.
📍 Leicester & Irthlingborough Opticians | Specialists in Complex Eye Conditions