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Keratoconus Center - Duluth, MN

Duluth 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 Duluth *

St Marys Duluth Clinic Ophthalmology
Sarah E Galchus
400 E 3rd St
Duluth, MN 55805
(218) 786-3937

St Marys Duluth Clinic Ophthalmology
Stewart J Hazel
400 E 3rd St
Duluth, MN 55805
(218) 786-3937

St Marys Duluth Clinic Ophthalmology
Joseph D Morehouse
400 E 3rd St
Duluth, MN 55805
(218) 786-3937

St Mary's Duluth Clinic Pediatrics
Thomas F Shuey
400 E 3rd St
Pediatrics
Duluth, MN 55805
(218) 786-4680

St Marys Duluth Clinic Ophthalmology
Daniel N Skorich
400 E 3rd St
Duluth, MN 55805
(218) 786-3937

Peter S Austin MD
Peter S Austin
324 W Superior St
STE 800
Duluth, MN 55802
(218) 722-6655

Peter S Austin MD
Kevin W Treacy
324 W Superior St
STE 800
Duluth, MN 55802
(218) 722-6655

Daniel L Maryland MD
Daniel L Maryland
332 E Central Entrance
Duluth, MN 55811
(218) 722-5871

Northern Refractive Surgery Center
Chris T Buntrock
4815 W Arrowhead Rd
STE 120
Duluth, MN 55811
(218) 625-1917

Northern Refractive Surgery Center
Bridget A Sundell
4815 W Arrowhead Rd
STE 120
Duluth, MN 55811
(218) 625-1917

Northern Refractive Surgery Center
Jeffery R Weis
4815 W Arrowhead Rd
STE 120
Duluth, MN 55811
(218) 625-1917

Duluth Clinic Virginia
Salma Jamal
1101 9th St N
Virginia, MN 55792
(218) 741-0150

Duluth Clinic Virginia
Peter Van Patten
1101 9th St N
Virginia, MN 55792
(218) 741-0150

Duluth Clinic Virginia
Peter D VanPatten
1101 9th St N
Virginia, MN 55792
(218) 741-0150

Hibbing Family Medical Center
Timothy A Quinn
1120 E 34th St
Hibbing, MN 55746
(218) 362-7100

Duluth, Minnesota

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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 Duluth

  • In case of Emergency, call 911

Nearby Duluth Hospitals *

Miller-Dwan Medical Center
502 E Second St
Duluth, MN 55805
(218)727-8762

St Mary's Duluth Clinic Health System
407 E Third St
Duluth, MN 55805
(218)786-4000

St Luke's Hospital
915 E 1st St
Duluth, MN 55805
(218)249-5555

St Mary's Hospital Superior
3500 Tower Ave
Superior, WI 54880
(715)395-5400

Cloquet Community Memorial Hospital
512 Skyline Blvd
Cloquet, MN 55720
(218)879-4641

Lake View Memorial Hospital
325 11th Ave
Two Harbors, MN 55616
(218)834-7300

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