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Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh
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Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh

Keratoconus and Its Symptoms

What Is Keratoconus (KC)?

KC is a progressive eye disease. It causes thinning and distortion of the cornea — the clear, front layer of the eye.

It's the most common corneal dystrophy in the United States. It affects about one in every 2,000 Americans or 170,000 people in the U.S.

Keratoconus Symptoms

Symptoms of KC can include:

  • Slight blurring of vision.
  • Distorted vision that's hard to correct with glasses.
  • Increased sensitivity to light.

Keratoconus Risks

KC often first appears in a person's late teens or early twenties. It may progress for 10 to 20 years and then slow or stabilize.

KC is more common in people with Down syndrome.

The progressive thinning and weakening can result in major vision loss and may eventually lead to a need for a corneal transplant.

Contact Us About Keratoconus Treatment

UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh offers KC treatment at our Center for Collagen Cross-Linking at our Lawrenceville campus.