Demystify the Eye

9. Keratoconus: Why Your Vision Keeps Getting Worse and What To Do About It


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Your glasses prescription keeps changing. Your vision is blurry even with correction. Lights have halos and streaks around them. You've been told your cornea is "irregularly shaped" but nobody has really explained what that means or what happens next. If any of this sounds familiar — this episode is for you.

Keratoconus is a progressive condition where the cornea — the clear front window of your eye — gradually thins and bulges forward into a cone shape. It typically starts in the teenage years or early twenties, and for many patients the journey to diagnosis is a long and frustrating one. But here's the good news: we have more tools to treat it today than ever before.

I'm Dr. Parul Khator, a board-certified ophthalmologist and glaucoma specialist in Marietta, Georgia — and in this episode I'm breaking down everything you need to know about keratoconus, from what's actually happening inside your cornea to the full range of treatment options available today.

In this episode, I'll cover:

  • What keratoconus actually is — and what's happening to the structure of your cornea at the cellular level
  • How keratoconus affects your vision and why glasses often stop working as the condition progresses
  • The symptoms that should prompt you to ask your eye doctor about keratoconus
  • Who gets it and why — including the genetic and environmental factors that play a role
  • The full treatment spectrum — from specialty contact lenses to corneal cross linking to corneal transplant surgery
  • What corneal cross linking actually is and why catching keratoconus early makes such a huge difference

A keratoconus diagnosis can feel scary and overwhelming — especially when you're young. But with the right information and the right doctor, it is absolutely manageable. And it starts with understanding exactly what you're dealing with. 👁️

Send me Fan Mail or any questions you might have!

📬 Have a question or topic you'd love me to cover? I'd love to hear from you! Email me at [email protected]

📱 Follow along on social media: Find me everywhere @demystifytheeye

🌐 Learn more about Dr. Parul Khator, MD: https://www.gaeyepartners.com/metro-atlanta-eye-doctors/parul-khator-md/

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Demystify the Eye is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of your eye doctor or qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding your eye health.

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Demystify the EyeBy Parul Khator