Keratoconus vs. Astigmatism – What You Need to Know!

Are you wondering about the distinctions between Keratoconus and Astigmatism? You’ve arrived at the correct link! These two eye disorders are commonly confused with one another, but they are not the same. Understanding the differences between them is critical for accurate diagnosis and treatment.
So, strap in and prepare to plunge into the realm of eye health because you are going to discover the differences between these two in detail in terms of symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatment. Let’s get started with Keratoconus vs Astigmatism!

What is Keratoconus?

Keratoconus is a condition in which the cornea thins and becomes cone-shaped, causing visual issues. It generally begins in the teens and ends in the thirties. Genetics, eye allergies, and certain connective tissue problems can influence the development of Keratoconus.

What is Astigmatism?

Astigmatism is a prevalent eyesight impairment caused by an irregular shape of your eye’s cornea or lens. It’s not precisely spherical like a marble but more like a football. Because the light entering your eye does not concentrate correctly on the retina, your vision may become fuzzy or distorted.
There are many forms of Astigmatism according to how they influence your ability to focus. For instance, hyperopic Astigmatism indicates that one of your eyes is farsighted.

Symptoms

What are the Symptoms of Keratoconus?

Symptoms of these eye health conditions are also similar. When you have Keratoconus, your eyesight may get hazy. Another significant symptom of Keratoconus is that even with glasses or contacts, your eyesight may not improve significantly.
You may also have problems with night vision and perceive glares and halos around lights. It is also possible to suffer from headaches, eye discomfort, and light sensitivity.

What are the Symptoms of Astigmatism?

Astigmatism can also cause hazy vision with night-time glare, sometimes known as “Astigmatism lights.” You can also experience visual distortion, headaches, and eye strain with Astigmatism.

Astigmatism vs Keratoconus: Comparison Between Symptoms

Keratoconus	Astigmatism
Blurry vision	Blurry vision
Headaches	Headaches
Eye pain & itching in the eyes	Slight eye pain
Glare and halos	Night-time glare
Difficulty seeing at night	Eye strain
Light sensitivity	Squinting to see a better

Causes

What Causes Keratoconus?

Keratoconus is caused by a thinning cornea that can become distorted and develop into a cone shape. The thinning is caused by a loss of collagen, a protein that helps preserve the structure of the eye.

What Causes Astigmatism?

A defect in the eye’s cornea or lens leads to Astigmatism. This condition can be present at birth or develop later as a result of causes such as genetics, eye accidents, or particular eye disorders such as Keratoconus. While the causes of Keratoconus and Astigmatism differ, both can cause visual difficulties.

Diagnosis

How is Keratoconus Diagnosed?

If you suspect you have Keratoconus, your eye doctor may do further tests along with regular eye check-ups, such as Keratometry or corneal topography. The doctor might also examine your vision with an eye chart and a phoropter. These tests help to analyze the refractive error in your eye by trying on different lenses.

How is Astigmatism Diagnosed?

To diagnose Astigmatism, the doctors assess the level of Astigmatism in your eye with an autorefractor or retinoscope. This includes putting light into your eye and monitoring the changes as it goes back and forth. A Keratometer can also be used to measure the curve of your cornea.
A corneal topography scan may also be performed to discover any conditions. This thorough imaging will reveal any astigmatism on the corneal surface as well as the presence of a steep cone.

Treatment

What are Keratoconus Treatment Options?

Here are the possible Keratoconus treatment options you may opt for:-

• Specialized Contact Lenses: Different types of contact lenses, like rigid gas permeable lenses, scleral lenses, and soft contact lenses, can be prescribed for different levels of Keratoconus.
• Corneal Transplant: An eye doctor may recommend a corneal transplant in more severe cases where the corneal tissue has become very thin or scarred.
• Corneal Collagen Cross-linking: This Keratoconus treatment uses a combination of ultraviolet light, and vitamin B drops to strengthen the corneal fibers.

What are Astigmatism Treatment Options?

Correcting Astigmatism is possible through the following treatments:-

• Laser Surgeries and Other Procedures: Refractive surgery methods such as LASIK and other refractive surgery procedures reshape the cornea. They help light to focus more precisely on the retina.
• Eyeglasses and Contact Lenses: These are the go-to solutions to deal with Astigmatism. Glasses and lenses help fix the way light focuses on the retina and deal with blurriness.

So, Astigmatism and Keratoconus can both cause hazy vision. But they are not the same, with distinct causes and treatments. The good news is that both of these may be detected at a routine eye exam.

Depending on the stage, treatment for Keratoconus might range from using corrective glasses to undergoing a corneal transplant. So either way, you don’t need to worry! Just make sure you visit an eye doctor as soon as you suspect any issue with your eye health.

If you also want information on Astigmatism and Myopia, you can check out this blog –

Astigmatism vs. Myopia – What’s the Difference?

How Can Insight Vision Center Help?

If you live in Fresno and need quality eye treatment, go no further than the Insight Vision Center. Our staff is dedicated to offering modern therapies such as corneal cross-linking and LASIK surgery, particularly for Keratoconus and Astigmatism.

We’ve got you covered with thorough eye exams to ensure you’re getting the finest vision care possible.

Trust the professionals at Insight Vision Centre to guide you to an improved vision!
Book Your Appointment Now!