How Can I Find a Keratoconus Specialist?

The following article offers advice on finding a keratoconus specialist and on the kinds of questions that may be useful to ask.

Table of Contents

Things to Look For
Finding the Right Specialist
Find a Specialty Contacts vision clinic near me

Things to Look For

Finding a keratoconus specialist to treat your condition may seem daunting, but it doesn't have to be. The following article will discuss what to look for as you search for a good doctor. Social media and the internet provide excellent resources for research and to communicate with like-minded people to find quality information. The following suggestions may be helpful to consider :

Recommendations/qualifications: Find out which doctors are popular with people. How is their "bedside manner"? Are they informative? If it is a large facility, and is the staff generally helpful and communicative? Is it hard to get an appointment?
There are many databases from reputable organizations which rank quality doctors, There are online forums where people share their experiences. Remember that much of this is subjective. You will have to process the data yourself and draw your own decisions. Often your optometrist will have his own recommendations.
Expertise: If you require a specific procedure, you may want to consider the ideal candidate to perform that specific intervention. There may be an excellent local ophthalmologist for cross-linking, who doesn't do cornea transplants.While some optometrists specialize in
Regional: An excellent specialist living in Anchorage, Alaska doesn't really help you if you live in Pennsylvania. Find out who is available in your area.
Covered By Insurance: The cost of treatment can be expensive out of pocket. So you have to find professionals that accept your medical insurance plan.
Personal Choice: We all have personal preferences. One person may love a specific specialist while another may not share that sentiment.

Common Questions

What questions should I ask my optometrist about keratoconus?

Ask any questions you have relating to daily and long-term care. Are you uncertain about the cause of the condition or available procedures? How often should you have an exam? Optometrists and ophthalmologists can answer your questions and help co-manage your eye care needs.

What things should I look for when monitoring daily eye care?

As with all ocular disorders, always look for symptoms that may suggest injury or infection, or worsening signs related to keratoconus. These include pain and discomfort, impaired or loss of vision, double or blurry vision, redness and swelling, irritation, dizziness, crustiness or discharge, a feeling of something trapped under the eyelid, or difficulty with light or glare, etc.

I am used to wearing soft contact lenses. Will these work with keratoconus?

Soft contact lenses may be suitable in the early stages. Over time as the cornea changes shape, they may no longer be effective. Fortunately, there are options for advanced cases where hybrid lenses provide the comfort of soft lenses with the added feature of being gas permeable.

Can a specialist get rid of my keratoconus?

No one can get rid of it because there isn't a cure. There are however many options to treat the condition and improve vision.