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no. 8 Vision Test

DOES THE DOT HAVE DOUBLE EDGES OR A SHADOW?

DOUBLE EDGES COULD BE A SIGN OF KERATOCONUS (KC)*, A SIGHT-THREATENING EYE DISEASE THAT COULD WORSEN WITHOUT WARNING. IF YOU THINK YOU HAVE ANY SIGNS OF KC, CONSULT WITH YOUR EYE DOCTOR

no. 8 vision test dot
Cover one eye at a time and then the other

Want to know more about KC treatment? Connect with the KC Care Coordinator team.

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*Only an eye doctor can diagnose KC.

Bringing clarity to KC

Keratoconus (KC) is a progressive eye disease in which the cornea weakens and thins over time, causing the development of a cone-like bulge and blurry or distorted vision. If left untreated, KC can result in vision loss and may lead to a corneal transplant in severe cases.

Early treatment is key

Without early diagnosis and treatment intervention to preserve vision, KC can lead to vision loss

Father and son

KC progression is fastest in children and adolescents.1
Father and daughter

Keratoconus is often caught too late, with about 70% of patients already in the moderate to severe stage at the time of diagnosis.2
Mother and daughter

Do you have any family members with KC?

While the exact cause of KC is unknown, genetics could be a factor, along with environment and hormonal changes. Unexplained vision problems within your family should raise an eyebrow.

People with a parent, sibling, or child who has KC are roughly 6-25 times more likely to have or develop keratoconus compared to someone with no family history of the disease.3,4

In addition, keratoconus can affect up to 71% of people with Down syndrome.5

That’s why it’s extremely important to raise awareness of keratoconus in this community and to be aware of the potential signs and symptoms.

Get connected

Get connected

Get helpful information about keratoconus, treatment options, and support. Sign up to connect with a KC Care Coordinator.

Signs and symptoms

Know the signs and symptoms

Signs and symptoms of keratoconus can include but are not limited to:

  • eye rubbing icon Excessive eye rubbing
  • night icon Difficulty seeing at night
  • headache icon Frequent headaches
  • family icon A family history of KC
  • blurry vision icon Mildly blurred vision
  • rx refill icon Frequent prescription changes
  • glasses icon Vision that cannot be fully corrected with glasses
  • contact lenses icon Vision that cannot be fully corrected with contact lenses

Who gets KC?

Who gets KC?

Keratoconus affects young people in the prime of life. It is often first noticed in adolescence, with most of the damage to the cornea occurring between the ages of 10-30.1

US prevalence is highest in adults aged 18-39 years, and significantly higher KC prevalence in Black and Hispanic US populations.6

KC Care Coordinators

What is the KC Care Coordinator program?

The KC Care Coordinator program is a free, confidential, personalized support program led by KC Care Coordinators who understand how to navigate your keratoconus treatment journey. Understanding KC and the available treatment options doesn’t have to be confusing or stressful. The KC Care Coordinators are here to help.

References

  1. Ferdi AC, et al. Ophthalmology. 2019;126:935-945.
  2. Kreps EO, et al. Cont Lens Anterior Eye. 2021;44(3):101333.
  3. Almusawi, L. A., & Hamied, F. M. (2021). Risk Factors for Development of Keratoconus: A Matched Pair Case-Control Study. Clinical Ophthalmology, 15, 3473–3479. https://doi.org/10.2147/OPTH.S248724
  4. Hashemi H, Heydarian S, Hooshmand E, Saatchi M, Yekta A, Aghamirsalim M, Valadkhan M, Mortazavi M, Hashemi A, Khabazkhoob M. The Prevalence and Risk Factors for Keratoconus: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Cornea. 2020 Feb;39(2):263-270. doi: 10.1097/ICO.0000000000002150. PMID: 31498247.
  5. Outcomes of Corneal Collagen Crosslinking Under General Anesthesia in Down Syndrome Luis C. Barrientos, BS, Ryan Frisbie, MD, Jennifer L. Jung, MD, Lauren Mehner, MD, MPH, Casey Smith, MD, Rebecca G. Edwards Mayhew, MD, PhD, Ronald Wise, MD, Emily A. McCourt, MD, and Michael A. Puente, MD Cornea. 2025; 00:1-5.
  6. Singh RB, Parmar UPS, Jhanji V. Prevalence and Economic Burden of Keratoconus in the United States. Am J Ophthalmol. 2024 Mar;259:71-78. doi: 10.1016/j.ajo.2023.11.009.