Understanding Keratoconus (KC): What It Means for Patients and Families

As a pediatric optometrist who sees children of all ages — including those with special needs — I want to take a moment to highlight an important condition that sometimes comes up in our practice: keratoconus (often abbreviated KC).

What is Keratoconus?

Keratoconus is an eye condition in which the normally round, dome-shaped cornea becomes progressively thinner and begins to bulge into a cone-like shape. This corneal deformity distorts vision, often producing symptoms such as:

• Blurry or distorted vision

• Increased light sensitivity and halos around lights

• Frequent changes in glasses or contact lens prescriptions

While older estimates placed keratoconus as a rare disorder, recent data suggest it is more common than once thought — one U.S. source reports about 1 in every 300 patients may be affected.

Why Does It Happen?

There’s no single known cause of keratoconus. Instead, research points to a combination of risk factors:

• Genetic predisposition (family history)

• Environmental factors such as allergies or eye rubbing

• Possible hormonal or endocrine influences

Because the cornea plays such a critical optical role (refocusing light entering the eye), any irregularities in its shape lead to the visual symptoms characteristic of KC.

Why It Matters in a Pediatric/Family Practice

Because keratoconus often begins in adolescence or early adulthood, it may present in younger patients — sometimes before adulthood — and may progress more rapidly in younger eyes. In a father-son optometry practice that has seen many children and families over decades, being alert to potential early signs (especially in at-risk kids with family history or high astigmatism) is important: early detection can make a meaningful difference.

Highlights from the Awareness Initiative

National Keratoconus Foundation (NKCF) & World KC Day

November 10 is designated as World KC Day, a day dedicated to raising awareness, educating patients and eyecare providers, and supporting those affected by keratoconus.

Here are some noteworthy points from the NKCF’s most recent campaign:

• NKCF, founded in 1986, is the leading nonprofit organization focused on keratoconus education, support, and research.

• For 2025, the awareness campaign theme is “Cones for a Cause”, a playful outreach effort inviting local ice cream shops to donate a portion of their sales on November 10 to support KC awareness.

• NKCF provides toolkits for patients, eye care professionals, schools, and community organizations to get involved — with posters, social-media graphics, and printable materials.

Why This Awareness Matters

In our practice context — children, families, and a long-standing private practice — this has three key implications:

1. Educating families: Many people (including parents) might never have heard of KC until it affects someone they know. Awareness helps enable earlier discussion and evaluation.

2. Early screening and monitoring: Recognizing risk factors (e.g., a child with rapidly changing astigmatism, frequent spectacle updates, or eye rubbing) allows us to monitor more closely and potentially refer early.

3. Supporting patients: KC is more than just a “prescription change” condition. Its progression, need for specialty lenses or cross-linking, and visual impact can be stressful for families. Awareness efforts help build community and resources.

What We Recommend for Our Patients and Families

If you or a loved one is concerned about keratoconus, here are practical steps we at the practice (with 30 years’ generational experience) advocate:

• Comprehensive eye exams: Especially if there’s a family history of keratoconus, or if one eye shows increased astigmatism and vision instability.

• Corneal topography or tomography: If suspicion arises (steepening cornea, thinning, irregular astigmatism), these imaging tools help detect early ectasia.

• Avoid unnecessary eye-rubbing and manage allergies: Because eye-rubbing has been implicated in progression of KC, managing allergies and educating children about gentle handling of their eyes is important.

• Discuss lens options early: While glasses or soft contacts may suffice early on, as KC progresses specialty lenses (rigid gas permeable, hybrid, or scleral) often become necessary.

• Consider treatment when warranted: One of the significant advances in recent years is corneal collagen cross-linking (CXL) to halt or slow progression of keratoconus. Early referral may preserve vision.

• Stay informed and involved: With awareness days like World KC Day and campaigns such as Cones for a Cause, patients and families can both learn and feel supported.

Final Thoughts

Keratoconus is a condition that can feel overwhelming when first diagnosed — but thanks to advances in early detection, management strategies, and community support (such as from NKCF), there’s optimism and real-world success.
As an optometrist serving children and families, I believe our role includes not only correcting vision but also educating, monitoring, and supporting the full visual journey of our patients. In the context of an awareness campaign such as World KC Day, it’s a timely reminder to keep our eyes (and our outreach) open.

References

• “National Keratoconus Foundation Raises Awareness Ahead of World KC Day.” Eyes on Eyecare Glance, 2025.

• “World KC Day.” National Keratoconus Foundation (NKCF), 2025.

• “World Keratoconus Day.” KeratoconusGroup.org, 2025.

• “World Keratoconus Day Toolkit: Cones for a Cause.” NKCF, 2025.