Vision Therapy in Livonia

Keratoconus and Contact Lenses: Finding the Perfect Fit

(734) 525-8170

Understanding Keratoconus: A Vision Disorder

Your cornea, the clear, round, front surface of your eye, is the first ocular tissue that light passes through on its way to the retina. Keratoconus causes the cornea to thin, steepen, and form an irregular cone-shape. This transformation causes light to focus on the retina incorrectly, which leads to distorted vision.

woman putting in contact


What Are the Symptoms of Keratoconus?

There are two primary ways keratoconus affects your vision, and it shows up as:

  • Irregular Astigmatism: The cornea, which typically has a smooth spherical shape, undergoes a transformation into a cone-like structure. This alteration results in a wavy and uneven corneal surface, known as irregular astigmatism.
  • Nearsightedness: As the front part of your eye expands, your vision becomes increasingly nearsighted. This means that you can only see objects clearly when they are up close (however in keratoconus, even objects at near may still appear distorted). Anything at a distance appears blurry.
  • Variable or quickly changing vision. The inability to achieve clear vision in glasses or soft contacts when it had been possible in the recent past.

Recognizing the signs of keratoconus is essential, as early detection can lead to more effective treatment. Keep an eye out for the following symptoms:

  • Double or triple vision when using just one eye
  • Blurriness of objects both near and far
  • Perception of bright lights with halos around them
  • Presence of light streaks
  • The presence of ghost images
  • Persistent blurry vision that affects your ability to drive safely

adding contact drops

Causes and Risk Factors: Can it Damage Your Vision?

The precise cause of keratoconus remains unknown. Researchers believe that some individuals may have a genetic predisposition to the condition.

However, several factors have been associated with the development of keratoconus:

Family History:Β If a family member has been diagnosed with keratoconus, there is an increased likelihood of inheriting the condition. If you have keratoconus, it is advisable to have your children's eyes examined for early signs, by the age of 10 at the latest. Early detection of keratoconus is crucial for successful management and prevention of severe disease.

Certain Medical Conditions:Β Research has indicated a correlation between keratoconus and systemic conditions such as Down syndrome, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, osteogenesis imperfecta, retinitis pigmentosa, sleep apnea, Lebers congenital amaurosis, Marfan’s, and other connective tissue disorders.Inflammation:Β Inflammatory conditions like allergies, asthma, or atopic eye disease have the potential to weaken the corneal tissue over time.

Eye Rubbing:Β Vigorous and persistent eye rubbing can lead to corneal damage. Excessive eye rubbing can accelerate its progression for individuals already diagnosed with keratoconus.


Scleral Lenses for Keratoconus: The Game-Changer

Keratoconus presents a unique challenge when it comes to vision correction. Traditional gas permeable? contact lenses often prove ineffective as they cannot conform to the irregular corneal shape. This is where scleral lenses step in as an innovative solution.

Here are four compelling reasons to consider scleral lenses for keratoconus:

  • Enhanced Comfort

    Scleral lenses are larger in diameter compared to traditional rigid gas permeable contact lenses, spreading their weight across a broader, less sensitive area, ensuring comfort during extended wear.

  • Improved Vision

    Unlike glasses, which often offer limited visual improvement for keratoconus patients, scleral lenses can significantly enhance vision clarity and stability.

  • Constant Moisture

    Scleral lenses provide a continuous reservoir of moisture between the lens and the eye's surface, ensuring a soothing and moisture-rich environment for the eyes.

  • No More Eye Rubbing

    The design of scleral lenses minimizes the need for eye rubbing by reducing inciting factors of ocular surface and lid inflammation due to allergy response, reducing the risk of further corneal damage and discomfort.


Meet our Scleral Lenses Specialist

Patient Reviews
4.7
439 Reviews
5
4
3
2
1
- Apr. 18, 2025
Amazing place to do Vision Therapy! My 10 year old daughter was here for 9 months and her improvemen... ts were amazing. She loved her vision therapists and can also see her work has helped her in school and everyday life.
- Apr. 09, 2025
After a head injury, I was experiencing vision problems for about 10 years. My vision was blurry and... looked almost like a vhs recording or an old CRT TV. It was incredibly difficult to read, especially on screens, and I frequently became dizzy, anxious, and nauseated. I had panic attacks randomly and felt off balance and dissociated all the time. I also had severe TMJ and neck pain. I saw several doctors (including eye doctors, neurologists, ENTs and Psychiatrists) and received many different treatments including sinus surgery, TMJ botox, and several different anxiety medications. Unfortunately, none of these really had an impact, and my symptoms persisted. Other eye doctors I saw said my eyes were dry from allergies and all my routine eye exams were normal. It wasn't until I was screened for vision dysfuntion by Dr. Smith that I learned that it was not just anxiety or allergies and I had vision problems that could be treated through vision therapy. Dr. Smith and Ms. Amanda were incredibly caring and skilled, and after completing a 4 month VT program, I no longer suffer from any of my previous symptoms. My life has changed completely, and it's amazing to go through a work day without dry heaving or having a panic attack. It was also nice that all of the activities for VT were similar to games, and there were no pills or surgeries involved. I was a little sceptical of the light bed therapy, but once I started the light bed sessions I was amazed how effective it was for reducing my nausea and managing my sensory issues. I can't recommend VT highly enough!!!
- Apr. 08, 2025
Wow. This was my second visit to Suburban EyeCare and I am beyond happy that I have chosen them to b... e my eye care provider. Every member of their team with whom I interacted was professional, polite, helpful and kind, in a very sincere and genuine way. I have been to numerous eye care providers over the years and Suburban EyeCare is by far the best. Thank you to my friend Jack E for the initial referral last summer - he told me they were great, and he was 100% correct.
- Mar. 21, 2025
I'm always taken care of, even despite the terrible luck I have πŸ™πŸ»
- Mar. 08, 2025
Dr. Arnold was great, friendly staff and a wide selection of glasses.
- Mar. 06, 2025
We loved working with Ms. Amanda for vision therapy for our 10 year-old. She was great communicating... with us to ensure proper practice was done on the at home work. The practice bribes were a hit. We were always greeted with a smile and it’s a bonus that they have things to do for siblings in the waiting room.
- Mar. 04, 2025
Excellent, professional service with good follow up.
- Feb. 16, 2025
Your appointment time is honored and your time is respected. Professional and friendly staff A+ orga... nization start to finish.
- Feb. 06, 2025
Great experience! Dr. Smith was absolutely amazing and took her time to explain everything and look ... at everything. Would recommend her to everyone that I know!
- Feb. 06, 2025
Friendly and competent staff.
- Jan. 30, 2025
Dr Smith and the entire staff is helpful, caring and took the time to explain the treatment necessar... y.
- Jan. 24, 2025
They are so friendly and transparent when it comes to exams and purchasing eyewear. Dr. Arnold is so... great - I'd recommend him to anyone!
- Jan. 23, 2025
Great service and staff. Highly recommend for pediatric eye exams.
- Dec. 22, 2024
Staff was friendly, knowledgeable and caring. Dr. Arnold spent extra time helping me find the correc... t contact lense.
- Dec. 21, 2024
Dr. Arnold is a great eye dr., and he takes time and explain everything concerning your eyes.
- Dec. 12, 2024
We have been coming to you guys since 2001!!! Yep. Over 2 decades. We love you. However, very sad Dr... Jacobi is retiring. We love him But, we use Dr. Smith, and she is WONDERFUL.
- Dec. 09, 2024
Always a great experience. Dr. Jacobi is a caring and truly helpful low vision specialist and provi... des excellent service. The staff is helpful and friendly as well.
- Nov. 19, 2024
Doctor and staff are very knowledgeable, helpful, and easy to talk with. This was my first visit, a... nd I look forward to my next!
- Oct. 23, 2024
Very awesome staff!!
- Oct. 12, 2024
Attention, caring and thorough exam, answers, direction. I always feel confident that I've gotten th... e best care and advice. Takes time, not rushed through. Best experience.

View All 439 Reviews

Scleral Lenses in Livonia

Our optometry practice in Livonia

Photograph of Kayla Smith
Hours
  • Monday 10:00 am - 1:00 pm
    3:00 pm - 7:00 pm
  • Tuesday 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
  • Wednesday 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
  • Thursday 10:00 am - 1:00 pm
    3:00 pm - 7:00 pm
  • Friday 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
  • Saturday Closed
  • Sunday Closed
Insurance Plans
  • VSP
  • Medicare
  • Aetna
  • Spectera
  • Anthem
  • EyeMed
  • Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield
  • Blue Cross
  • MetLife

chart

Experience Clarity with Scleral Lenses from Suburban Eye Care

Scleral lenses have the potential to provide life-changing improvement in vision clarity and comfort for those battling keratoconus.If you or a loved one has keratoconus and would like to explore the benefits of scleral lenses, schedule a consultation with Suburban Eye Care today. Your journey to clear vision begins here.[b]

(734) 525-8170