Are you legally blind if you have keratoconus?
In the United States, if a person’s best-corrected visual acuity in both eyes is 20/200 or worse — whether caused by keratoconus or some other condition — that person is considered legally blind and may qualify for disability benefits.
Can keratoconus be left untreated?

Untreated keratoconus can lead to permanent vision loss. The changes to the cornea make it difficult for the eye to focus with or without eyeglasses or standard soft contact lenses.
Can an optometrist treat keratoconus?
Many OPTOMETRISTS try to treat Keratoconus with conventional contact lenses, or from a prescription made with old technology. The result is often more discomfort and worse vision for you. The most advanced equipment and an expert Keratoconus Specialist are required to properly diagnose and treat Keratoconus.
Is keratoconus a serious visual impairment?
Keratoconus itself is not considered a disability, but the visual loss caused by the disease may be severe enough to qualify as a disability.

How did I get keratoconus?
The definitive cause of keratoconus is unknown, though it is believed that the predisposition to develop the disease is present at birth. A common finding in keratoconus is the loss of collagen in the cornea.
Can you go blind from cross linking?
In general, cross linking is very safe, but you should allow time for your eye to heal and problems do occasionally occur. About 3% of patients will experience some loss of vision in the treated eye as a result of haze, infection or other complications.
Can rubbing eyes cause keratoconus?
Eye Rubbing as a Risk Factor for Keratoconus Chronic abnormal eye rubbing is associated with keratoconus development[6]. Repetitive gentle and vigorous knuckle-grinding rubbing are associated with progression of keratoconus[40]. There are many reasons for eye rubbing habit.
Can rubbing your eyes cause keratoconus?
How can early diagnosis of keratoconus prevent vision loss?
Early diagnosis can prevent further damage and vision loss. During the eye exam, your eye doctor will ask you questions about your symptoms and family medical history. You will be given a visual acuity test, possibly with the Snellen chart.
How are contact lenses used to treat keratoconus?
Eventually, though, it will probably be necessary to use contact lenses or seek other treatments to strengthen the cornea and improve vision. A treatment called cornea collagen crosslinking is often effective to help prevent worsening. Intacs are implants that are placed under the surface of the cornea to reduce the cone shape and improve vision.
How does keratoconus affect the front of the cornea?
Keratoconus changes vision in two ways: As the cornea changes from a ball shape to a cone shape, the smooth surface becomes wavy. As the front of the cornea expands, vision becomes more nearsighted.
Can a cornea transplant be done for keratoconus?
If eyeglasses and contact lenses no longer provide stable and comfortable good quality vision, a cornea transplant can be performed. This involves removing the center of the cornea and replacing it with a donor cornea that is stitched into place. This is typically only done as a last resort. PubMed Health: “Keratoconus.”
Early diagnosis can prevent further damage and vision loss. During the eye exam, your eye doctor will ask you questions about your symptoms and family medical history. You will be given a visual acuity test, possibly with the Snellen chart.
How old do you have to be to have keratoconus?
A cone-shaped cornea causes blurred vision and may cause sensitivity to light and glare. Keratoconus usually affects both eyes, though it often affects one eye more than the other. It generally begins to affect people between the ages of 10 and 25. The condition may progress slowly for 10 years or longer.
Eyeglasses and soft contact lenses are the usual treatment for those with mild keratoconus, but this disease is progressive and inevitably thins the cornea, giving it an increasingly irregular shape. Eventually eyeglasses and soft contact lenses are no longer sufficient.
How many people in the world have keratoconus?
Causes. No one knows what causes keratoconus, although genetic and environmental factors are thought to be involved. Around 1 in 10 people with keratoconus also have a parent with the condition.