VIEWS FOR 20/20 by Dr. Mark Skowron and Dr. Michelle Skowron KERATOCONUS (CORNEAL THINNING) The cornea is the thin, dome-shaped surface of the eyeball. Keratoconus happens when the normally round cornea thins and bulges outward into a cone shape. No one knows what causes keratoconus, but genetics are thought to play a roll. Other risk factors include conditions such as down syndrome, retinitis pigmentosa (another genetic vison-loss condition), allergies, and asthma. Keratoconus causes blurry and distorted vision because the dome shape of the eye prevents light from correctly focusing on the retina. It can also cause increased sensitivity to bright light and glare. Corrective lenses can improve the distorted vision while corneal cross-linking surgery can help slow the condition's progression. In rare cases a corneal transplant may be necessary. If you have keratoconus, make sure you wear goggles when swimming and safety glasses when engaged in yard work or athletics. Our goal at SKOWRON EYE CARE is to help you maintain a lifetime of healthy, clear, comfortable vision by using the latest in technology, from diagnosing and managing eye diseases to in-vogue eyewear to complex contact lenses to LASIK eye surgery. At Skowron Eye Care, our mission is your vision. P.S. Keratoconus symptoms usually appear in the late teens or early twenties and progress for 10-20 years before slowing down significantly. SKOWRON EYE CARE 370 N. York, Elmhurst, IL 60126 630-834-6244 www.skowroneyecare.com VIEWS FOR 20/20 by Dr. Mark Skowron and Dr. Michelle Skowron KERATOCONUS ( CORNEAL THINNING ) The cornea is the thin , dome - shaped surface of the eyeball . Keratoconus happens when the normally round cornea thins and bulges outward into a cone shape . No one knows what causes keratoconus , but genetics are thought to play a roll . Other risk factors include conditions such as down syndrome , retinitis pigmentosa ( another genetic vison - loss condition ) , allergies , and asthma . Keratoconus causes blurry and distorted vision because the dome shape of the eye prevents light from correctly focusing on the retina . It can also cause increased sensitivity to bright light and glare . Corrective lenses can improve the distorted vision while corneal cross - linking surgery can help slow the condition's progression . In rare cases a corneal transplant may be necessary . If you have keratoconus , make sure you wear goggles when swimming and safety glasses when engaged in yard work or athletics . Our goal at SKOWRON EYE CARE is to help you maintain a lifetime of healthy , clear , comfortable vision by using the latest in technology , from diagnosing and managing eye diseases to in - vogue eyewear to complex contact lenses to LASIK eye surgery . At Skowron Eye Care , our mission is your vision . P.S. Keratoconus symptoms usually appear in the late teens or early twenties and progress for 10-20 years before slowing down significantly . SKOWRON EYE CARE 370 N. York , Elmhurst , IL 60126 630-834-6244 www.skowroneyecare.com