Keratoconus affects 1 in every 2000 people, according to a recent study in Greece, but very few people know about it. The inflammatory disease is a degenerative disorder of the eye that affects the cornea, causing progressive deformation on its surface. The cornea is the transparent front part of the eye that covers the iris, the pupil and the anterior chamber. Once affected by keratoconus, the cornea begins to bulge into a cone-like shape, causing gradual, partial or total visual deterioration.
The only non-invasive treatment for this disease is corrective lenses fitted by a specialist (semi-scleral lenses for keratoconus or hard contact lenses). Diagnosis can however be quite tricky, especially during the early stages of the disease, which is why Nicolaides Opticians recommends regular and specialised eye tests, executed by trained optometrists at all their stores in Nicosia, Limassol and Larnaca.
At early stages, the symptoms of keratoconus may be no different from those of any other refractive defect of the eye, such as myopia and astigmatism. However, as the disease progresses, vision continues to deteriorate and a constant change of lens prescriptions are often noted. Other symptoms may include visual confusion, distortion of images and blurred vision which cannot be corrected with glasses. If you have experienced any of these symptoms or have been told your lenses need changing, there is cause for concern and you should book yourself an appointment for a thorough eye test, including a test for keratoconus.
Eye examinations are free of charge at Nicolaides Opticians while the stores also offer designer frames at the best prices in the market. Visit Nicolaides Opticians in Nicosia, Limassol and Larnaca, take the correct precautionary measures to protect your vision and of course… show your eyes the love they deserve!