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Keratoconus

Expert Diagnosis & Advanced Management

Keratoconus is a progressive corneal condition that causes blurred, distorted vision and increasing light sensitivity. As the cornea thins and bulges forward into a cone-like shape, glasses often become ineffective.

Early detection is critical to prevent long-term vision loss.

At Innovative Eye Care (Adelaide & Henley Beach), keratoconus diagnosis and management is a core clinical focus. Our optometrists use advanced corneal imaging technology to detect even early-stage disease and guide the most appropriate treatment pathway.

Notably, our principal optometrist Lachlan Hoy wrote the keratoconus chapter in textbook ‘Contact Lenses (2019)’, reflecting our clinic’s commitment to evidence-based care.

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What Is Keratoconus?

Keratoconus occurs when the cornea progressively thins and becomes irregular in shape. This distortion prevents light from focusing properly, resulting in:

  • Blurred or distorted vision
  • Halos and glare (especially at night)
  • Increased light sensitivity
  • Frequent prescription changes
  • Difficulty achieving clear vision with glasses

Symptoms often begin in teenage years and may continue progressing into the 30s or 40s.

In Australia, keratoconus affects approximately 1 in 84 young adults, making early screening particularly important.

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Risk Factors:

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Keratoconus is thought to involve both genetic and environmental factors.

  • Genetic Associations
  • Family history of keratoconus
  • Down syndrome
  • Marfan syndrome
  • Ehlers-Danlos syndrome
  • Environmental Contributors
  • Chronic eye rubbing
  • Allergies, hay fever, asthma, eczema
  • Floppy eyelid syndrome

If you have risk factors and notice frequent prescription changes, we strongly recommend you book in for an assessment.

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Advanced Keratoconus Diagnosis

Early diagnosis allows intervention before significant vision loss occurs.

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At Innovative Eye Care, we use:

  • Corneal Tomography – Gold-standard 3D mapping of corneal shape and thickness
  • Corvis ST – Measures corneal biomechanics for early detection
  • Wavefront Aberrometry – Assesses higher-order optical distortions
  • Corneal Topography – Detailed surface mapping
  • Anterior OCT – Cross-sectional corneal imaging
  • Slit Lamp Examination – Clinical assessment of corneal structure

These technologies allow us to detect subtle changes, long before they become visually significant.

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Keratoconus Management Options

Management depends on the severity and progression of your keratoconus.

Non-Surgical Options

  1. Behavioural Management
    Avoid eye rubbing to reduce progression risk.
  2. Glasses or Soft Contact Lenses
    Effective in very early stages.
  3. Custom Specialty Contact Lenses
    For moderate to advanced keratoconus:
    1. Rigid Gas Permeable (RGP) lenses
    2. Scleral lenses (vault over the cornea to create a smooth optical surface)

Scleral lenses provide dramatic visual improvement and comfort when fitted precisely. Our team uses EyeSpace an advanced fitting software, to create precise and comfortable lens fits.

Poorly fitted lenses may accelerate progression, so expert fitting is essential.

Surgical Options  (In collaboration with Ophthalmology)
  1. Corneal Collagen Cross-Linking (CXL)
    Strengthens corneal tissue to slow or halt progression. Most effective when performed in early stages.
  2. Intracorneal Ring Segments (ICRS)
    Implants used to reshape the cornea in selected cases.
  3. Corneal Transplant (Keratoplasty)
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    Reserved for advanced disease with severe scarring or contact lens intolerance.

    Our role is early detection, progression monitoring, specialty lens fitting and surgical referrals when appropriate.
Book a comprehensive Keratoconus Assessment in Adelaide or Henley BeachIf you are experiencing:
  • Increasing astigmatism
  • Frequent prescription changes
  • Night glare or halos
  • Vision not fully correctable with glasses


Early assessment can protect your long-term vision.


Our Adelaide and Henley Beach practices are equipped with advanced corneal imaging technology and extensive experience in complex contact lens fitting.

Speak to our friendly team today

Book your appointment now for personalised eye care tailored just for you.

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