Is my keratoconus getting worse?
Four measurements, compared visit to visit, tell us whether your cornea is stable or changing.
Four measures, read together
Part 02 · 01Corneal thickness
Our Zeiss OCT maps thickness across a wide area of the cornea, including thinning away from the centre.
Kmax
The steepest point of the cornea. A rising Kmax means the cone is steepening.
Topography
A map of the corneal shape. We compare the pattern of irregularity side by side over time.
Prescription
Rising astigmatism, or best-corrected vision that is slipping, is often the first thing you notice.
No single number decides it. A small change in one reading can be measurement variation; a consistent change across several measures is progression.
Why a wide-area thickness map matters
Part 02 · 02The thinnest point in keratoconus is often below and to one side of the centre. A single central reading can look normal while the cone is thinning elsewhere.
Mapping the whole central cornea lets us find localised, off-centre thinning early, and track that same spot from one visit to the next.
Younger eyes, closer watch
Part 02 · 03months between reviews for teenagers and young adults.
Stable adults: every 12 monthsWhy teenagers are different
Keratoconus progresses fastest in younger patients, and they have the most years of vision ahead to protect.
A lower threshold
In teenagers we act on smaller changes. Waiting for undeniable progression can mean losing vision that doesn’t come back.
Bring earlier scans
Topography from another clinic helps us compare, and judge change sooner.
Don’t wait for your next review
Part 02 · 04Rarely, a very steep cornea develops acute hydrops: a split in the cornea’s thin inner layer lets fluid soak in, and the cornea swells and turns cloudy.
Sudden blurred or milky vision in one eye, often with watering, light sensitivity and discomfort, needs to be seen the same day. Call us on 08 6288 4218, or go to a hospital emergency department after hours.
Hydrops usually settles over weeks to a few months, but it can leave scarring, so prompt care matters. Also contact us if your vision drops noticeably between visits.
Key takeaways
Part 02- 01We track thickness, Kmax, topography and prescription together
- 02Wide-area thickness mapping finds off-centre thinning a single reading can miss
- 03Teens are reviewed every 3–6 months; sudden cloudy vision needs same-day care
Book a keratoconus review.
Already diagnosed? Bring your previous scans and we’ll compare.
General health information only, not personal advice. Everyone’s eyes are different. An optometrist or doctor should examine you before any treatment is decided.