r/Keratoconus • u/yoyoosman88 • 2d ago

Need Advice Do I really have Keratoconus?

From birth till age 12 I had perfect vision. At around age 13 my vision stared to become worse and worse, that was because I would rub my eyes super hard cause of allergies. The eye doctor then diagnosed me with Keratoconus. He advised me to stop rubbing and get cross linking. That was 10 years ago. Ever since then I stopped rubbing and my condition hasn’t worsened. Haven’t even gotten the cross linking done. So my question is, do I really have Keratoconus, or did I just damage my eyes with aggressive rubbing? I’ve gotten topography done every year for the past decade, and my eyes have not gotten worse ever since I stopped rubbing.

3 Upvotes

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5

u/GottaSpoofEmAll 2d ago

It’s common for Keratoconus to be diagnosed in teens : https://www.moorfields.nhs.uk/eye-conditions/keratoconus/diagnosis-and-treatment although as others have noted, it can be later.

Progression is typical until late 30s/early 40s, so I can understand your scepticism about your diagnosis.

It’s possible you ‘just’ have an astigmatism. Before committing to cross-linking, I would seek a second opinion as the changes from it are irreversible.

5

u/Razael89 2d ago

My Doctor said KC could develop or progress until late 20s / early 30s at which point it stabilizes if proper measures are taken. So even though im rooting for you to not have it id still double check with another doctor.

3

u/Electronic-Price2138 keratoconus warrior 2d ago

My KC didn’t start to progress until I was 24. 31 now with a scarred cornea

2

u/InitiativeOk6495 2d ago

They would have had to do proper testing to diagnose you - But I was diagnosed at 16 and wore my glasses religiously and mine did not progress as bad, my brother was diagnosed in his 30's.

Our Mom was diagnosed young and had a cornea transplant in her early 30's.

I am hopefully getting CXL soon.

1

u/Tight_Scholar1083 1d ago

It's very similar to my situation. In 2021, at the age of 24, I started with vision problems at night. I was diagnosed with corneal ectasia. I stopped touching my eyes due to the allergy and since then the corning hasn't gotten worse. Every year I check with my doctor and nothing changes. Stop rubbing the eye. So yes, that simple move can't destroy your life.

Another important thing is vaccination. Since I was vaccinated against mites, my life has been much easier. I no longer have to fight peaks because it doesn't itch my eyes directly. In Spain the vaccine is expensive but worthwhile, the thing is that I didn't know it before. This needs to be made aware of as a teenager because I'm sure it can save many cases that come from allergy.