Keratoconus is a progressive eye disease where the normally round cornea thins and begins to bulge into a cone-like shape. Keratoconus is difficult to detect, because it usually develops slowly but however, in some cases, keratoconus may proceed rapidly. "Kerato" is the word for cornea. Keratoconus (KC) is noninflammatory, bilateral ectatic corneal disease, characterized by paraxial stromal thinning and weakening which leads to corneal surface distortion.

This abnormal shape prevents the light which is entering the eye from being focused correctly on the retina and this causes distortion of vision. As keratoconus progresses, the cornea bulges more and vision may become more distorted. Keratoconus occurs in females slightly more compared to males.

In the early stages, eyeglasses or soft contact lenses can be used to correct the mild nearsightedness and astigmatism caused in the early stages of keratoconus. As the disorder progresses and the cornea continue to become thin and change its shape, rigid gas permeable contact lenses can be prescribed to correct vision adequately but however, in most people, the cornea will stabilize after a few years without ever causing severe vision problems. Genetic counseling may be of benefit for patients with an inherited form of keratoconus. Treatments for moderate and advanced keratoconus include:

Gas permeable contact lenses

"Piggybacking" contact lenses

ClearKone hybrid contact lenses

Scleral and semi-scleral lenses

Intacs or corneal inserts

Corneal cross-linking

Corneal transplant