Keratoconus is a progressive condition that typically moves from mild irregularity to more advanced thinning and distortion if untreated. Staging helps guide treatment decisions and monitoring intervals.
Early and Moderate Stages
In early keratoconus, corneal shape changes are subtle and vision may still be corrected with glasses or soft lenses. Moderate disease shows clearer cone formation, increasing astigmatism, and reduced best-corrected vision.
- Corneal topography shows increasing steepening and asymmetry
- Corneal thickness gradually reduces at the thinnest point
- Patients notice more distortion and frequent prescription changes
Advanced Stages
Advanced keratoconus may involve marked thinning, scarring, and intolerance of contact lenses. In these stages, partial or full-thickness corneal grafts may be considered if vision is severely affected.
Monitoring Progression
Regular imaging and measurement of vision, curvature, and thickness are essential to track progression and time treatments such as cross-linking appropriately.
