Have you ever noticed your vision getting blurrier, even with updated glasses or contacts? Do streetlights at night seem to halo or distort? If you’re a young man experiencing these symptoms, it’s time to consider an often-overlooked condition.
Keratoconus is a progressive eye disorder that affects the structure of the cornea—the clear, dome-shaped surface at the front of your eye. Instead of maintaining its normal round shape, the cornea begins to thin and bulge into a cone-like form, distorting your vision. Left untreated, this condition can lead to severe visual impairment. While anyone can develop keratoconus, research shows it tends to appear more frequently—and more severely—in young men, often between the late teens and early 30s.
At Inland Eye LASIK, we’re committed to advancing Men’s Vision Health, and that includes raising awareness of conditions like keratoconus. With early detection and modern treatments patients can slow or even halt the progression of this vision-threatening disease.
What Is Keratoconus?
Keratoconus is classified as a non-inflammatory, progressive corneal disorder. In simple terms, it means the cornea weakens over time without infection or inflammation, eventually distorting the eye’s natural focusing power. As the cornea becomes cone-shaped, it causes irregular astigmatism, light sensitivity, ghosting, and blurred or double vision.
Common symptoms include:
- Increasingly blurry vision
- Frequent changes in eyeglass prescriptions
- Sensitivity to light and glare
- Poor night vision
- Eye strain and discomfort
Because these symptoms can resemble other vision conditions, keratoconus is often misdiagnosed or ignored, especially in its early stages. This is why proactive eye exams are so important—especially for men under 30 who may not recognize subtle signs of the disease.
Why Men Are More at Risk
Although keratoconus affects both genders, numerous studies—including those published in the American Journal of Ophthalmology—indicate that young men are statistically more likely to develop keratoconus, and often show more rapid progression than women. Hormonal differences, genetic predispositions, and behaviors such as frequent eye rubbing (common in individuals with allergies) may all contribute to this gender imbalance.
Furthermore, because men are often less likely to seek routine eye care until problems become severe, many don’t receive a diagnosis until the disease has progressed significantly.
Advanced Treatment Options: Intacs®
In moderate to advanced cases where the cornea has already become irregular in shape, cross-linking alone may not fully restore vision. That’s where another effective treatment comes in: Intacs®.
What Are Intacs®?
Intacs® are tiny, semi-circular plastic inserts that are surgically placed within the mid-peripheral layers of the cornea. Their purpose is to flatten and reshape the cornea, helping to reduce the cone-like bulge caused by keratoconus. This reshaping improves the way light enters the eye, enhancing vision clarity and often improving contact lens comfort.
Conclusion
Men’s Vision Health is about more than just seeing clearly—it’s about protecting your future vision. Keratoconus can worsen if not addressed early, but thanks to advanced treatments like Intacs, many patients are able to preserve and even improve their sight without resorting to a corneal transplant.
If you’re a young man in Inland Empire experiencing changes in your vision, it’s time to act. Inland Eye LASIK offers personalized care using the latest diagnostic tools and treatment options for keratoconus.
Call (909) 937-9230 today or visit our website to schedule a consultation. Early diagnosis can make all the difference—don’t wait to protect your sight.
