Vision Therapy in Downtown Seattle

Keratoconus and Contact Lenses: Finding the Perfect Fit

(206) 464-0472

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.


Meet our Scleral Lenses Specialist

Patient Reviews
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300 Reviews
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- Nov. 23, 2024
No wait. Friendly and knowledgable optician (din't catch his name unfortunately). Quick adjustments,... fixes for all my glasses.
- Nov. 21, 2024
I had a great experience at Broadway Vision where I had an eye exam with Dr. Hart. The location is ... easily accessible and the exam was thorough and professional. I left feeling confidant in knowing the status of my eyes.
- Oct. 29, 2024
I’ve brought my whole family here for eye exams for about 4 years. I have historically not liked g... oing to the eye doctor, and neither has my husband. But these folks are great! Dr. Ravuri really takes the time to explain everything thoroughly. I never feel like we are rushed. He asks all the right questions and does a thorough exam. I’m glad that they have retinal scanning so that we can look for any hidden issues and see the images while doctor Ravuri explains what we are looking at. The staff are great, too.
- Oct. 18, 2024
Peter was amazing helping me pick out new frames. Felt super comfortable trying on all the frames. H... e really made my experience. Thank you guys! Love the new glasses
- Aug. 30, 2024
I was in town and had a minor emergency and Broadway Vision went out of their way to help me out on ... short notice. I really appreciated how friendly everyone was, and they helped me out even though I don’t live here and am not a customer. Lovely storefront and staff. Thank you again for your help!
- Aug. 14, 2024
Had an eye exam and fitted for contacts. Great service, paid attention to the details and my optome... trist wanted me to have the perfect vision I need for my work.
- Aug. 04, 2024
I've been going here for years and I am always impressed with the level of care and great customer s... ervice!
- Jul. 23, 2024
I trust the doctors and the staff provide great service !!
- Jul. 16, 2024
(Translated by Google) Really friendly and quick replacement of broken rubber Located nearby Starbox... R* (Original) 정말 친절하고 신속하게 이탈된 rubber를 교체해줌 스타박스 R*근거리에 위치한
- Jul. 11, 2024
Ken and Dr. Ravuri were great! Very thorough and friendly! Been going here for years.
- Jul. 10, 2024
Professional staff and high quality service!
- Jun. 20, 2024
Fast friendly knowledgeable staff.
- Jun. 06, 2024
I have greatly appreciated the excellent care of Broadway Vision Source since I got my first ever gl... asses here eight years or so ago and being talked through the whole process by now retired professionals. However, I am disheartened to overhear that there is new ownership on the wind looking to get rid of the ability to have lenses made/managed in-house. Must new ownership always mean removing peoples incomes, skillsets, and tools from a very successful and respected business? For what, the sake of macro economic business efficiency at the cost of customer care, quality control, and delays? Would seriously hate to come back in a year and have to find a new one-stop optometrist because I’m dealing with new ownership milking a business for nickels at the cost of their employees day to day experience and My Experience as a patient. I’ll without my judgment until the day comes, but the worry remains. My thanks to the staff here, a business is just a name and a room without you.
- May. 30, 2024
Shared results in email and with PCP. Comprehensive and informative exam.
- May. 30, 2024
It was friendly and pretty quick to see the doctor.
- May. 16, 2024
I have been a patient of Dr. Matsunami for decades…he is an amazing healer! The staff at Broadway... Vision is top notch, friendly, and professional. You couldn’t ask for better eye care in the Seattle area.
- May. 02, 2024
Professional staff and very friendly and helpful as well. As a costumer I am very satisfied with the... ir service and will continue to visit them for years to come.
- Apr. 24, 2024
Perfect, on-time as always.
- Apr. 01, 2024
Everyone is so nice and helpful! Jason was a super big help getting thru the glasses process.
- Mar. 06, 2024
Great experience. I felt heard and had a thorough exam from very caring professionals. And I got a g... reat new pair of glasses!!!

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Scleral Lenses in Downtown Seattle

Our optometry practice in Downtown Seattle

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Hours
  • Monday 9:30 am - 5:30 pm
  • Tuesday 8:30 am - 7:00 pm
  • Wednesday 8:30 am - 7:00 pm
  • Thursday 9:30 am - 5:30 pm
  • Friday 9:30 am - 5:30 pm
  • Saturday Closed
  • Sunday Closed
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  • First Choice Health
  • Kaiser Permanente
  • HMA
  • Regence Group Administrators
  • Meritain Health

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Experience Clarity with Scleral Lenses from Broadway Vision

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 Broadway Vision today. Your journey to clear vision begins here.[b]

(206) 464-0472