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Keratoconus Center - Midland, TX

Midland 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 Midland *

Ingram Eye Center
Ronald W Ingram
2706 W Cuthbert Ave
Bldg A
Midland, TX 79701
(432) 694-0999

Fish Ophthalmology Clinic PA
John R Fish
4400 N Midland Dr
Midland, TX 79707
(432) 288-8992

Fish Ophthalmology Clinic PA
Larry A Fish
4400 N Midland Dr
Midland, TX 79707
(432) 288-8992

Fish Ophthalmology Clinic PA
Silpi Polepalle
4400 N Midland Dr
Midland, TX 79707
(432) 288-8992

Tolia Eye Clinic
Nalin H Tolia
6005 Eastridge Rd
STE 100
Odessa, TX 79762
(432) 362-2020

Eyes of Texas Clinic
Alan D Smith
155 SE Loop 338
STE 400
Odessa, TX 79762
(432) 367-7241

Turner Eye Clinic
Thomas Turner
848 Central Dr
Odessa, TX 79761
(432) 580-0246

Midland, Texas

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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

Corneal Disease »

Introduction

If your cornea becomes damaged through disease, infection, or injury, the resulting scars can interfere with vision by blocking or distorting light as it enters the eye.

The cornea is the clear, protective outer layer of the eye. Along with the sclera (white of the eye), it serves as a barrier against dirt, germs, and other particles that can harm the eye's delicate components. The cornea is also capable of filtering out some amounts of the sun's ultraviolet light.

The cornea also plays a key role in vision. As light enters the eye, it is refracted, or bent, by the outside shape of the cornea. The curvature of this outer layer helps determine how well your eye can focus on objects close-up and far away.

There are three main layers of the cornea:

  • Epithelium: The most superficial layer of the cornea, the epithelium stops outside matt...

Emergency Contact for Midland

  • In case of Emergency, call 911

Nearby Midland Hospitals *

Midland Memorial Hospital
2200 W Illinois Ave
Midland, TX 79701
(432)685-1111

Midland Memorial Hospital West Campus
4214 Andrews Hwy
Midland, TX 79703
(432)522-2273

HEALTHSOUTH Midland Rehabilitation Hospital
1800 Heritage Blvd
Midland, TX 79707
(432)520-1600

Martin County Hospital District
610 N St Peter St
Stanton, TX 79782
(432)756-3345

Desert Springs Medical Center
3300 S FM 1788
Midland, TX 79706
(432)563-1200

Odessa Regional Medical Center East Campus
515 N Adams Ave
Odessa, TX 79761
(432)582-8002

Odessa Regional Medical Center West Campus
520 E 6th St
Odessa, TX 79761
(432)582-8000

Medical Center Hospital Odessa
500 W 4th St
Odessa, TX 79761
(432)640-4000

Regency Hospital of Odessa
500 W 4th St
Odessa, TX 79761
(432)552-4000

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