Understanding Keratoconus and Its Early Treatment | AAO 2025

Keratoconus (pronounced ker-uh-toe-KOH-nus) is a progressive condition of the cornea in which the cornea — the clear, dome-shaped front portion of the eye — gradually weakens and becomes thinner, explained Kenneth A. Beckman, M.D., in an interview conducted by Ophthalmology Times on behalf of Managed Healthcare Executive at the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) meeting this past weekend.

The condition usually starts when people are in their teens and worsens through their 20s and 30s before it slows down, said Beckman, a cornea specialist at Comprehensive EyeCare of Central Ohio. Beckman presented positive research findings at the meeting from a multicenter study of a technique for treating keratoconus that leaves the corneal epithelium intact.

Beckman said it is important to treat keratoconus with corneal collagen crosslinking early to prevent vision loss, although he says he stresses to patients that the purpose of treatment is to halt the worsening of vision, not to improve it.

“I often tell my patients, ‘This is not LASIK surgery where suddenly you are going to get better vision. It's more like waterproofing your basement. We're trying to prevent something bad from happening, but you may not notice any difference.” And quite commonly, that's what we see. But if you're catching someone when they still have excellent vision, that's all we need. Now, we do have plenty of patients that actually improve, but the primary goal is to halt progression.”