Am I a Candidate for LASIK? Suitability Tests and Alternatives Such as ICL
November 1, 2026Short answer: keratoconus is a condition in which the cornea, the clear front window of the eye, gradually thins and bulges into a cone shape. It often starts in the teenage years and can progress faster in younger patients. Warning signs include a glasses prescription that keeps changing (especially rising astigmatism), blurred or distorted vision, and frequent eye rubbing. A quick, painless corneal scan can detect it early, when treatment can help keep the cornea stable.
Why age matters
Keratoconus usually appears in the teens or twenties. When it starts in childhood or early adolescence, it tends to progress more quickly and can be more advanced by the time it is found. This is why early detection and close follow-up matter so much in this age group. Once the cornea is stable, the aim is to keep it that way.
Early signs parents and teenagers should notice
- Glasses that need changing often, or a prescription with increasing astigmatism.
- Blurred or distorted vision that new glasses do not fully correct.
- Seeing ghost images, or streaks and halos around lights at night.
- Squinting, difficulty seeing the board at school, or one eye seeing noticeably worse than the other.
- Frequent, hard eye rubbing, often with itchy, allergic eyes.
- Sensitivity to light or glare.
Some children have no symptoms at all in the early stages, which is why a scan is useful for those at higher risk.
Who should be checked
- Children and teenagers with a family member who has keratoconus.
- Those with eye allergy (including vernal keratoconjunctivitis) or eczema and asthma, especially with frequent eye rubbing.
- Anyone whose glasses keep changing, or whose vision is not fully corrected with glasses.
- Children with Down syndrome, in whom keratoconus is more common.
How keratoconus is diagnosed
Diagnosis relies on corneal topography or tomography: a quick, non-contact scan that maps the shape and thickness of the cornea. A routine glasses test alone can miss early keratoconus. Repeated scans over time show whether the cornea is changing, which guides whether treatment is needed now.
Treatment options
- Glasses may be enough in the early stages.
- Specialty contact lenses (rigid gas permeable or scleral lenses) can improve vision when glasses are no longer enough.
- Corneal cross-linking (CXL): riboflavin (vitamin B2) drops and controlled ultraviolet light strengthen the cornea. The aim is to slow or stop progression, not to restore normal vision. Because keratoconus can progress faster in younger patients, doctors follow children closely and may recommend cross-linking once progression is shown.
- Intracorneal ring segments may help regularise the corneal shape in selected cases.
- Corneal transplantation is reserved for advanced cases or corneal scarring.
Read more in our keratoconus and cross-linking guide and on the keratoconus service page.
What families can do at home
- Stop eye rubbing. Rubbing is linked to progression. Short nails, cold compresses and treating the itch help.
- Treat eye allergy. Ask your doctor about suitable allergy drops, rather than relying on rubbing for relief.
- Keep follow-up appointments. Regular scans are the only reliable way to know whether the cornea is stable.
- Tell relatives. Brothers and sisters may benefit from a screening scan.
Frequently asked questions
At what age does keratoconus start?
It usually starts in the teenage years or twenties, but it can appear in younger children, especially those with eye allergy or a family history.
Is the corneal scan painful or harmful for children?
No. Corneal topography or tomography is a quick, non-contact scan, and the child simply looks at a target for a few seconds.
Can keratoconus be cured?
There is no cure that returns the cornea to normal, but treatment such as cross-linking aims to stop it getting worse, and lenses can improve vision. Early detection gives the best chance of keeping good vision.
Will my child be able to have LASIK later?
LASIK is generally not recommended for eyes with keratoconus because it can weaken the cornea further. Other options can be discussed when the eyes are stable.
Should brothers and sisters be checked?
Keratoconus can run in families, so a screening scan for siblings is reasonable, especially if they rub their eyes or have allergies.
Have a question about your eyes?
Message us on WhatsApp or call, and our team will arrange an assessment.
Al-Messilah Medical Tower B, 12th Floor, Bneid Al-Qar – Saturday to ThursdayThis article provides general information and does not replace a medical consultation.
Sources: Gomes JAP et al. Global Consensus on Keratoconus and Ectatic Diseases, Cornea 2015; American Academy of Ophthalmology, patient information on keratoconus and corneal cross-linking (aao.org/eye-health).
