Vision Therapy in Longview

Keratoconus and Contact Lenses: Finding the Perfect Fit

(360) 577-1500

Understanding Keratoconus: A Vision Disorder

Your cornea, the clear, round, front surface of your eye, is the first ocular tissue that light passes through on its way to the retina. Keratoconus causes the cornea to thin, steepen, and form an irregular cone-shape. This transformation causes light to focus on the retina incorrectly, which leads to distorted vision.

woman putting in contact


What Are the Symptoms of Keratoconus?

There are two primary ways keratoconus affects your vision, and it shows up as:

  • Irregular Astigmatism: The cornea, which typically has a smooth spherical shape, undergoes a transformation into a cone-like structure. This alteration results in a wavy and uneven corneal surface, known as irregular astigmatism.
  • Nearsightedness: As the front part of your eye expands, your vision becomes increasingly nearsighted. This means that you can only see objects clearly when they are up close (however in keratoconus, even objects at near may still appear distorted). Anything at a distance appears blurry.
  • Variable or quickly changing vision. The inability to achieve clear vision in glasses or soft contacts when it had been possible in the recent past.

Recognizing the signs of keratoconus is essential, as early detection can lead to more effective treatment. Keep an eye out for the following symptoms:

  • Double or triple vision when using just one eye
  • Blurriness of objects both near and far
  • Perception of bright lights with halos around them
  • Presence of light streaks
  • The presence of ghost images
  • Persistent blurry vision that affects your ability to drive safely

adding contact drops

Causes and Risk Factors: Can it Damage Your Vision?

The precise cause of keratoconus remains unknown. Researchers believe that some individuals may have a genetic predisposition to the condition.

However, several factors have been associated with the development of keratoconus:

Family History: If a family member has been diagnosed with keratoconus, there is an increased likelihood of inheriting the condition. If you have keratoconus, it is advisable to have your children's eyes examined for early signs, by the age of 10 at the latest. Early detection of keratoconus is crucial for successful management and prevention of severe disease.

Certain Medical Conditions: Research has indicated a correlation between keratoconus and systemic conditions such as Down syndrome, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, osteogenesis imperfecta, retinitis pigmentosa, sleep apnea, Lebers congenital amaurosis, Marfan’s, and other connective tissue disorders.Inflammation: Inflammatory conditions like allergies, asthma, or atopic eye disease have the potential to weaken the corneal tissue over time.

Eye Rubbing: Vigorous and persistent eye rubbing can lead to corneal damage. Excessive eye rubbing can accelerate its progression for individuals already diagnosed with keratoconus.


Scleral Lenses for Keratoconus: The Game-Changer

Keratoconus presents a unique challenge when it comes to vision correction. Traditional gas permeable? contact lenses often prove ineffective as they cannot conform to the irregular corneal shape. This is where scleral lenses step in as an innovative solution.

Here are four compelling reasons to consider scleral lenses for keratoconus:

  • Enhanced Comfort

    Scleral lenses are larger in diameter compared to traditional rigid gas permeable contact lenses, spreading their weight across a broader, less sensitive area, ensuring comfort during extended wear.

  • Improved Vision

    Unlike glasses, which often offer limited visual improvement for keratoconus patients, scleral lenses can significantly enhance vision clarity and stability.

  • Constant Moisture

    Scleral lenses provide a continuous reservoir of moisture between the lens and the eye's surface, ensuring a soothing and moisture-rich environment for the eyes.

  • No More Eye Rubbing

    The design of scleral lenses minimizes the need for eye rubbing by reducing inciting factors of ocular surface and lid inflammation due to allergy response, reducing the risk of further corneal damage and discomfort.

Patient Reviews
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393 Reviews
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- Aug. 29, 2025
I am a long time patient, I love the friendly staff! I wish Dr Bill and Bernice a happy retirement c... ome April 1st April fools day ha ha.
- Aug. 15, 2025
Caring, professional crew that check all the boxes.
- Aug. 13, 2025
These good people didn't try to sell me glasses that I don't need.
- Aug. 12, 2025
Great eye dr. Very helpful
- Aug. 05, 2025
Dr. Cheslock and the staff at Cascade Eye Care are fantastic and they really CARE, I love them.
- Jul. 20, 2025
Friendly staff, atmosphere is great
- Jul. 12, 2025
I'm 100% PTSD I haven't ever been talked DOWN to. It's very nice there.
- Jul. 01, 2025
~Great experience ~hard to find? I never saw any sign for Cascade Eye Care. I drove past their build... ing, saw 930 on a multi unit building. Parked my car. Right next to suite 930 was 1001?? across parking lot was 928?? ..there was no 950 anywhere......actually, it was behind where I parked, a stand alone beautiful brick building, I saw no numbers or name on building. Update: No one was rude. I knew before I went back my insurance would not cover, I was quoted an amount $. I was advised not to pay right then. The eye glass rep said frames start at 9.00 and I had lots of cost effective choices for lenses. My insurance authorized their portion of my visit before I left, and I was told my portion was $64.00. Paid and all done. No surprises, I knew before exam began my insurance would not cover all of visit. Nice employees here. I opted to do some price comparison checking around, before getting any new frames or lenses.
- Jun. 25, 2025
Great team, awesome doc. Can only recommend this place.
- Jun. 03, 2025
Great
- May. 23, 2025
Dr. Bill was amazing with my son when he had an eye injury! So thankful for them
- May. 10, 2025
Very friendly and honest people. I took my elderly mother in for an exam and they treated her very ... kindly and with great respect. They also said her eyes were great and didn't try and upcharge for anything. I'd highly recommend Cascade eye care.
- May. 09, 2025
Incredible vision center! Amazing staff and Providers! 10/10 all day!
- Apr. 18, 2025
I had a good experience at Cascade Eye Care. I would recommend anyone to go there.
- Apr. 18, 2025
They got me in for a same day appt because I had something stuck in my eye. The service of all staff... , from the phone call and check in, to the medical staff in the back, was amazing. Dr gave amazing care and advice as well, and fixed my eye right up!
- Apr. 18, 2025
Highly recommend Cascade Eye Care & Staff! Top notch 👁 care 👌
- Mar. 24, 2025
Great staff, exam went very quickly and easily, I was very glad they didn't have to dilate my pupils... . Though my last exam before this had been about seven years, so maybe that's normal now? Robin did a fantastic job with helping me and my girlfriend pick out my new frames! Picked up the new glasses two weeks later, was very quick and painless. I have no complaints, very happy with the service here!
- Mar. 10, 2025
The whole team is fast, friendly, and efficient!
- Mar. 06, 2025
Excellent eye care with state of the art technology, yet friendly and informative human interactions... by the doctor and all the staff.
- Feb. 18, 2025
Dr Julia listens to your individual needs and comes up with lenses that will work. After years of on... /off with my glasses between my phone and the TV, I finally have lenses that prevent that! And, I just love her personality and passion for the work she does.

View All 393 Reviews

Scleral Lenses in Longview

Our optometry practice in Longview

Photograph of William Cheslock
Hours
  • Monday 8:00 am - 5:30 pm
  • Tuesday 8:00 am - 5:30 pm
  • Wednesday 8:00 am - 5:30 pm
  • Thursday 8:00 am - 5:30 pm
  • Friday 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
  • Saturday Closed
  • Sunday Closed
Insurance Plans
  • VSP
  • Medicare
  • United Healthcare
  • EyeMed
  • Metlife
  • Molina Healthcare
  • Regence
  • Premera Blue Cross
  • ebms
  • Lifewise

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Experience Clarity with Scleral Lenses from Cascade Eye Care

Scleral lenses have the potential to provide life-changing improvement in vision clarity and comfort for those battling keratoconus.If you or a loved one has keratoconus and would like to explore the benefits of scleral lenses, schedule a consultation with Cascade Eye Care today. Your journey to clear vision begins here.[b]

(360) 577-1500