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Keratoconus Center - Des Moines, IA

Des Moines Eye Doctor Doctors for Keratoconus

Type of Physician: Eye Doctor

What is a Eye Doctor?

A certification by the Board of Ophthalmology; practitioners provide comprehensive eye and vision care. They are trained to diagnose, monitor and medically or surgically treat all eyelid and orbital problems affecting the eye and visual pathways, and to diagnose, monitor and treat all eye and visual disorders. They often prescribe vision services (glasses and contact lenses) as well as serve as a consultant to physicians and other professionals.

Specialty: Ophthalmology

Common Name: Eye Doctor

Eye Doctor Doctors in Des Moines *

Downtown Eye Care
Barbara E Evans
400 Locust St
STE 230
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 281-0902

Des Moines Retina Assoc PLC
James F Lawler
411 Laurel St
STE 2225
Des Moines, IA 50314
(515) 282-4393

Chris Den Ouden DO
Chris DenOuden
1300 Des Moines St
STE 103
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 266-5353

Associated Ophthalmologists PC
Naveen Husain
1212 Pleasant St
Methodist Medical Plz I STE 202
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 244-3937

Associated Ophthalmologists PC
S Ejaz Husain
1212 Pleasant St
Methodist Medical Plz I STE 202
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 244-3937

Associated Ophthalmologists PC
Michael Versackas
1212 Pleasant St
Methodist Medical Plz I STE 202
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 244-3937

Des Moines University Clinic
George B Clavenna
3200 Grand Ave
Des Moines, IA 50312
(515) 271-1700

VA Medical Center Des Moines
Constance C Grignon
3600 30th St
Des Moines, IA 50310
(515) 699-5999

Eye Health Physicians PC
Neil N Silbermann
7025 Hickman Rd
STE 1
Urbandale, IA 50322
(515) 270-2486

Eye Health Physicians PC
Jane Wang
7025 Hickman Rd
STE 1
Urbandale, IA 50322
(515) 270-2486

Physicians Eye Clinic
Elizabeth A Brown
2101 Westown Pkwy
West Des Moines, IA 50265
(515) 225-2566

Physicians Eye Clinic
David S Dwyer
2101 Westown Pkwy
West Des Moines, IA 50265
(515) 225-2566

Physicians Eye Clinic
Valerie K Kounkel
2101 Westown Pkwy
West Des Moines, IA 50265
(515) 225-2566

Physicians Eye Clinic
Jeffrianne S Young
2101 Westown Pkwy
West Des Moines, IA 50265
(515) 225-2566

Iowa Retina Consultants
Christopher F Blodi
1501 50th St
STE STE 133
West Des Moines, IA 50266
(515) 222-6400

Iowa Retina Consultants
Christopher L Haupert
1501 50th St
STE STE 133
West Des Moines, IA 50266
(515) 222-6400

Iowa Retina Consultants
Todd W Heilskov
1501 50th St
STE STE 133
West Des Moines, IA 50266
(515) 222-6400

Iowa Retina Consultants
Tracy Kangas
1501 50th St
STE STE 133
West Des Moines, IA 50266
(515) 222-6400

Des Moines Eye Surgeons
David C Ball
5901 Westown Pkwy
STE 200
West Des Moines, IA 50266
(515) 225-3546

Des Moines Eye Surgeons
Bradley D Hammer
5901 Westown Pkwy
STE 200
West Des Moines, IA 50266
(515) 225-3546

Des Moines Eye Surgeons
E Michael Sarno
5901 Westown Pkwy
STE 200
West Des Moines, IA 50266
(515) 225-3546

Des Moines Eye Surgeons
Andrew CG Steffensmeier
5901 Westown Pkwy
STE 200
West Des Moines, IA 50266
(515) 225-3546

Children's Eye Clinic
Jean B Spencer
6000 University Ave
STE 210
West Des Moines, IA 50266
(515) 222-1180

Children's Eye Clinic
Sarah J Whang
6000 University Ave
STE 210
West Des Moines, IA 50266
(515) 222-1180

McFarland Clinic Ophthalmology
Nicolas Hamouche
1128 Duff Ave
Ames Eye Center
Ames, IA 50010
(515) 239-4460

McFarland Clinic Ophthalmology
Carri Koenig
1128 Duff Ave
Ames Eye Center
Ames, IA 50010
(515) 239-4460

McFarland Clinic Ophthalmology
Linda J Lehman
1128 Duff Ave
Ames Eye Center
Ames, IA 50010
(515) 239-4460

McFarland Clinic Ophthalmology
Kenneth Talbert
1128 Duff Ave
Ames Eye Center
Ames, IA 50010
(515) 239-4460

Sudarsan Chavala MD
Sudarsan Chavala
118 S Taylor
Mount Ayr, IA 50854
(641) 464-3651

Lou Ann Lease MD
Lou Ann Lease
405 S Clark St
STE 220
Carroll, IA 51401
(712) 792-8255

Heartland Eye Care
Norman R Hutchison
1005 Pennsylvania Ave
STE 110
Ottumwa, IA 52501
(641) 682-8571

Heartland Eye Care
Mariannette J Miller-Meeks
1005 Pennsylvania Ave
STE 110
Ottumwa, IA 52501
(641) 682-8571

Heartland Eye Care
Gregory L Thorgaard
1005 Pennsylvania Ave
STE 110
Ottumwa, IA 52501
(641) 682-8571

Des Moines, Iowa

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Keratoconus

Introduction

We see through the cornea, which is the clear, central part of the front surface of the eye. Normally, the cornea has a round shape, like a ball. Sometimes, however, the structure of the cornea is just not strong enough to hold this round shape. The normal pressure inside the eye makes the cornea bulge outward like a cone. This condition is called keratoconus.

What Causes Keratoconus?

Often the cause of keratoconus is unknown. Some studies have found that keratoconus runs in families, and that it happens more often in people with certain medical conditions. But most often, there is no eye injury or disease that could explain why the eye starts to change.

Keratoconus usually begins in the teenage years, but it can also start in childhood or up to about age 30. The changes in the shape of the cornea occur slowly, usually over several years.

Someone with keratoconus will notice that vision slowly becomes distorted. The change can stop at any time, or it can continue for several years. In most people who have keratoconus, both eyes are eventually affected.

Can Keratoconus Damage Vision?

Keratoconus does not make people go blind. However, the changes to the cornea will make it impossible for the eye to focus without eyeglasses or contact lenses .

Keratoconus can be dangerous if laser vision correction surgery -- LASIK or PRK is performed on the eye.

Anyone with even a small amount of keratoconus should not have laser vision correction surgery.

How Is Keratoconus Diagnosed?

The doctor may notice some things during the examination, or the patient may mention symptoms, that could be caused by keratoconus. These include:

  • Sudden change of vision in just one e...

Recommended Reading Related to Keratoconus

Eye Care »

What is the structure of the eye?

The eyes are complex sensory organs. About 85% of the total sensory input to our brains originates from our sense of sight, while the other 15% comes from the other four senses of hearing, smell, touch, and taste. The eyes are designed to optimize vision under conditions of varying light. Their location, on the outside of the face, makes them susceptible to trauma, environmental chemicals and particles, and infectious agents. The eyelids and the position of the eye within the bony orbital cavity are the major protective mechanism for the eye.

The eye itself has the shape of a sphere measuring about 1 inch in diameter. It consists of a clear, transparent dome at the front (the cornea) that is surrounded by the white of the eyeball (the sclera). The iris of the eye is the circular, colored portion within the eye, and behind the cornea, and the pupil is the central opening within the iris. Behind the iris and pupil is the e...

Emergency Contact for Des Moines

  • In case of Emergency, call 911

Nearby Des Moines Hospitals *

Mercy Medical Center Des Moines
1111 6th Ave
Des Moines, IA 50314
(515)247-3121

Iowa Lutheran Hospital
700 E University Ave
Des Moines, IA 50316
(515)263-5612

Blank Children's Hospital
1200 Pleasant St
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515)241-5437

Iowa Methodist Medical Center
1200 Pleasant St
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515)241-6212

Broadlawns Medical Center
1801 Hickman Rd
Des Moines, IA 50314
(515)282-2200

VA Central Iowa Health Care Des Moines
3600 30th St
Des Moines, IA 50310
(515)699-5999

Mercy Franklin Center
1818 48th St
Des Moines, IA 50310
(515)271-6000

Madison County Healthcare System
300 Hutchings St
Winterset, IA 50273
(515)462-2373

Dallas County Hospital
610 Tenth St
Perry, IA 50220
(515)465-3547

Skiff Medical Center
204 N Fourth Ave E
Newton, IA 50208
(641)792-1273

Story County Medical Center
630 Sixth St
Nevada, IA 50201
(515)382-2111

Mary Greeley Medical Center
1111 Duff Ave
Ames, IA 50010
(515)239-2011

VA Central Iowa Health Care Knoxville
1515 W Pleasant St
Knoxville, IA 50138
(641)842-3101

Knoxville Hospital & Clinics
1002 S Lincoln St
Knoxville, IA 50138
(641)842-2151

Boone County Hospital
1015 Union St
Boone, IA 50036
(515)432-3140

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