Keratoconus in Your 20s: Why Young Adults Should Not Ignore Blurry Vision

Blurry vision in your 20s can be easily "put down" to spend hours in front of the computer, tired, and in need of new glasses. Still, a change in vision can be caused by an abnormal condition of the cornea keratoconus.

Keratoconus is a condition in which the cornea (the transparent window at the front of the eye) thins and takes on a conical shape. This causes distortion of light passing through the eye. The affect can be a blurred or distorted image. It can effect either one or both eyes. 

Why Is Keratoconus Important in Your 20s?

Keratoconus commonly develops in the teenage years and can still progress into the 20s and 30s. The young adult years are an important time to monitor unexpected vision changes.

You might find that your glasses prescription appears to change often or even if you have new glasses you still don't feel that your vision is that sharp. In some individuals an increase or irregular astigmatism can also be indication that the cornea needs to be examined.

Common Signs to Watch For

Keratoconus does not always cause obvious symptoms at first. Some signs that deserve an eye examination include:

• Blurry or distorted vision

• Frequent changes in glasses prescription

• Increasing astigmatism

• Difficulty seeing clearly even with updated glasses

• Increased sensitivity to light or glare

• Vision that appears different between the two eyes

Having any or all of these symptoms does not mean that you have keratoconus. There are a large number of routine eye problems, which have similar symptoms to keratoconus and it is important for you to have a full eye examination. 

Can Eye Rubbing Make It Worse?

Interestingly even a basic occurrence such as eye rubbing. This has been linked with keratoconus and potentially an accelerant within the condition, mostly in individuals who are prone to the disease. For those who are prone, allergies, and itchy eyes can often mean that this occurs on regular occasions.

If you frequently suffer from itchy eyes then try to treat the cause of irritability rather than continually rubbing them.

When Should You Get Your Eyes Checked?

If your vision is changing, your glasses do not seem to give you clear vision, or your sight is becoming more distorted or blurred, do not just continue to increase the power of your lenses without consulting an eye care professional.

An optometrist can examine the cornea using topography or tomography to detect any shape and thickness changes in the cornea. These tests can help identify progression if necessary.

Having keratoconus in your 20s does not mean you should panic. It is just saying that changes to your eyesight that are abnormal or don't go away shouldn't be ignored. Have a routine eye test and try not to rub your eyes too much to look after your vision.