Keratoconus: Understanding the Causes and Solutions

When the typically round cornea (the clear front surface of your eye) begins to thin and bulge into a cone-like shape, everyday tasks like reading street signs or looking at a smartphone screen can become strained. At Cohen Eye Institute, we understand that keratoconus isn’t just about blurry vision; it affects your confidence, mobility, and quality of life.

Our goal is to halt the underlying progression while improving clarity and stability. Combining personalized care with proprietary techniques and diagnostic precision, we help you move forward with more control and better sight. Ready to learn how we can help you take control of your keratoconus? Schedule a consultation now.

What Is Keratoconus?

Keratoconus is a progressive eye condition in which the normally dome-shaped cornea gradually thins and bulges outward into a conical shape. This irregularity distorts how light enters the eye leading to a number of vision degrading symptoms.

The condition often begins in adolescence or early adulthood and may progress for several decades before stabilizing. Early detection allows for less invasive treatment and significantly better long-term outcomes.

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close up on woman's eye

Symptoms of Keratoconus

Patients often notice changes in their vision that standard glasses or contact lenses can't fully correct. Common signs include the following:

  • Blurry, distorted vision
  • Increased sensitivity to light
  • Frequent prescription changes
  • Halos or glare around lights
  • Difficulty seeing at night
  • Double vision in one eye

What Causes Keratoconus?

Although the exact cause is not fully understood, keratoconus appears to be the result of a combination of genetic and environmental factors:

Genetics

Family history can play a role. If a parent or sibling has keratoconus, you may be at a higher risk of developing the condition. Certain genetic disorders also increase susceptibility.

Collagen Weakness

The cornea is made up of collagen fibers. When these fibers are weaker or more prone to stretching, the cornea can begin to bulge. This weakness may be linked to biochemical imbalances or certain enzymes within the eye.

Eye Rubbing

Frequent or vigorous rubbing of the eyes can put stress on the cornea, potentially accelerating the thinning and protrusion associated with keratoconus. Allergies or chronic irritation often lead to increased eye rubbing.

Hormonal and Environmental Factors

Changes during puberty or pregnancy might influence corneal structure. Environmental irritants, such as UV exposure and pollutants, may also contribute to tissue instability in susceptible individuals.

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Meet Our Doctors

Dr. Ilan Cohen

President and Medical Director

Dr. Cohen

Dr. Nancy Argano

Clinic Leader, Old Bridge

Dr. Argano

Dr. Nathalie Chen

Dry Eye Clinic Leader, Old Bridge

Dr. Chen

Dr. Krishna Morar

Clinic Leader, Ridgewood

Dr. Morar

Dr. Brian Krawitz

Glaucoma Specialist

Treatments for Keratoconus

Keratoconus treatment goes beyond symptom management—it’s about halting progression and restoring clarity. Dr. Ilan Cohen offers some of the most advanced options available, tailored to the condition’s severity and your visual goals.

OZERA™

OZERA™, our proprietary treatment strategy, combines specialized diagnostic imaging with customized treatment strategies. It may include corneal reshaping techniques, specialized lens fittings, or other individualized elements. OZERA™ is designed to halt progression where possible and optimize your visual clarity in a tailored, comprehensive plan.

Collagen Cross-Linking

Also called CXL, this procedure strengthens the cornea by applying vitamin B2 (riboflavin) eyedrops and then activating them with UV light. The treatment boosts the collagen fibers within the cornea, helping them bond more firmly. This enhanced rigidity can slow or stop the cornea from further bulging.

Topo-Guided PRK

Topography-guided photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) can help refine the corneal surface for patients whose keratoconus is stable or managed by cross-linking. By mapping the eye's irregular shape and adjusting laser ablation patterns accordingly, topo-guided PRK aims to improve vision by smoothing the cornea's surface irregularities. While it doesn't cure keratoconus, it can significantly enhance visual acuity and reduce distorted vision.

Testimonials

Took my 8yr old here for the first time because of her pediatrician recommendation. As soon as I walked in the office front desk was very welcoming. The gentleman who helped me ...

Took my 8yr old here for the first time because of her pediatrician recommendation. As soon as I walked in the office front desk was very welcoming. The gentleman who helped me was very polite and friendly.

Yaritza O.

Had such a great experience at Cohen Eye Institute! The whole process was super smooth—from booking my appointment to the actual LASIK procedure. The staff was so friendly...

Had such a great experience at Cohen Eye Institute! The whole process was super smooth—from booking my appointment to the actual LASIK procedure. The staff was so friendly, patient (especially with how nervous I was) and made me feel comfortable the entire time.

Dr. Cohen took the time to explain everything about LASIK, answered all my questions, and made me feel completely at ease. You can tell he genuinely cares about his patients and their results.

If you’re thinking about getting LASIK, I highly recommend this place. Professional, efficient, and overall just a great experience!

Debby R.

I had an amazing experience at Cohen Eye institute! From start to finish they went above and beyond to ensure everything was ok The clinic itself is super clean and neat with st...

I had an amazing experience at Cohen Eye institute! From start to finish they went above and beyond to ensure everything was ok The clinic itself is super clean and neat with state of the art equipments. Their attention to detail and professionalism made the entire process seamless . I want to thank the staff but foremost Kenia she’s at front desk she went above and beyond making it very clear and simple experience I would highly recommend this clinic to anyone for there Eye needs ill definitely will go there again.

Elvis S.

It’s been always great experience from last two years. Doctors and other staffs have been amazing. Ms Sarany and Ms Karlee are outstanding with their customer service. I w...

It’s been always great experience from last two years. Doctors and other staffs have been amazing. Ms Sarany and Ms Karlee are outstanding with their customer service. I will definitely recommend

Razib E.

First time patient and the doctor that took care of me was Karlee she did such an amazing job so knowledgeable feel very comfortable. Now this my new home The past experience th...

First time patient and the doctor that took care of me was Karlee she did such an amazing job so knowledgeable feel very comfortable. Now this my new home The past experience that I had in other locations has just been horrible thank you guys for making me feel comfortable. The place is so impeccable clean.

Oscar O.

Everything was great from beginning to end. All the staff were friendly and professional. I’ve been with them for many years and it’s been amazing since my 1st visit...

Everything was great from beginning to end. All the staff were friendly and professional. I’ve been with them for many years and it’s been amazing since my 1st visit.

David C.

I’m a first time patient i came 6mins late my schedule but the staff assist me right away. They are very friendly and they work fast i was in and out the building.Dr. Kris...

I’m a first time patient i came 6mins late my schedule but the staff assist me right away. They are very friendly and they work fast i was in and out the building.Dr. Krishna Morar explained to me clearly whats going on with my eyes so clearly understand what I need to do with his advice. God blessed every one

Bhel G.

From the moment I walked in, I was warmly greeted by Kenia, whose bubbly personality and efficiency truly made my day. Her knowledge and fast service stood out, making the entir...

From the moment I walked in, I was warmly greeted by Kenia, whose bubbly personality and efficiency truly made my day. Her knowledge and fast service stood out, making the entire experience smooth and enjoyable. The office was spotless and well-organized, creating a welcoming atmosphere. I’ll definitely be returning!

Manuel S.

My experience was all together great regarding the medical part, where I think there’s room for improvement is the wait time and the efficiency of the front desk staff. Bu...

My experience was all together great regarding the medical part, where I think there’s room for improvement is the wait time and the efficiency of the front desk staff. But they’re all professional and friendly and my eyes are better now, that’s what matters!

Adriana N.

Professional and courteous staff. Well organized and comfortable facility. They answered all my questions and were very friendly when I asked to have my prescription sent to a d...

Professional and courteous staff. Well organized and comfortable facility. They answered all my questions and were very friendly when I asked to have my prescription sent to a different farmacy. This was my first visit and will see the surgeon in 2 weeks.

Joe C.

I recently had the pleasure of being treated at the Cohen Eye Institute, and I couldn't be more impressed. From the moment I walked in, the staff were warm, welcoming, and incre...

I recently had the pleasure of being treated at the Cohen Eye Institute, and I couldn't be more impressed. From the moment I walked in, the staff were warm, welcoming, and incredibly professional. The doctors and medical team were knowledgeable, compassionate, and took the time to answer all my questions.

The facility itself is state-of-the-art, with modern equipment and a clean, comfortable environment. The entire experience, from initial consultation to post-op care, was seamless and stress-free.

I highly recommend the Cohen Eye Institute to anyone seeking top-notch eye care. Their expertise, combined with their caring approach, makes them stand out in the field. I'm so grateful for the care I received and would trust them with my family's eye health without hesitation.

Lisa F.

I have great faith in Dr. Morar. He answers my questions and explains things so I can understand. Sammy did my initial eye check and was efficient, courteous and kind. It was a ...

I have great faith in Dr. Morar. He answers my questions and explains things so I can understand. Sammy did my initial eye check and was efficient, courteous and kind. It was a great vision checkup.

Marie T.

I have been going to Dr. Morar for years. He is very thorough, caring, compassionate and he always takes his time. He explains everything in detail. My son went with me once and...

I have been going to Dr. Morar for years. He is very thorough, caring, compassionate and he always takes his time. He explains everything in detail. My son went with me once and Dr. Morar answered all of my son’s concerns. I leave there satisfied never second guessing what Dr. Morar has done. You won’t sit around for a long time like most places. I’m always called in around my appointment time.

His staff is very helpful, professional and kind. I’m always greeted with a smile no matter who is taking care of me. The entire office is always clean. I wouldn’t change this practice. I highly recommend Cohen Eye Institute!

Zenda P.

I enjoyed the friendly staff and the courtesy of the tech's it was very clean and up to date. With the equipment. And Dr Mora was quite friendly and knowledgeable I enjoyed my v...

I enjoyed the friendly staff and the courtesy of the tech's it was very clean and up to date. With the equipment. And Dr Mora was quite friendly and knowledgeable I enjoyed my visit exceptionally

Marc P.

The facility is equipped with the most advanced technology, ensuring top-notch care for every patient. The staff is exceptionally friendly, professional, and attentive, making e...

The facility is equipped with the most advanced technology, ensuring top-notch care for every patient. The staff is exceptionally friendly, professional, and attentive, making every visit a pleasant experience. The doctors are incredibly knowledgeable and take the time to answer all questions with patience and clarity. I always feel heard and cared for here. Thank you for providing such outstanding service!

Mehdi T.

Great place. Everyone friendly, competent and respectful. Doctor was excellent. Very modern and clean office. Very little wait time

Great place. Everyone friendly, competent and respectful. Doctor was excellent. Very modern and clean office. Very little wait time

M. W.

Everyone was attentive, friendly and respectful. The place is clean and Dr Morar is amazing, he addresses any concerns thoroughly and makes sure he provides an excellent custome...

Everyone was attentive, friendly and respectful. The place is clean and Dr Morar is amazing, he addresses any concerns thoroughly and makes sure he provides an excellent customer service.

Hazel N.

I was just seen 2 weeks ago and I will continue to come here! The staff is always so helpful and the doctors have very good bedside matter along with being very informative. He ...

I was just seen 2 weeks ago and I will continue to come here! The staff is always so helpful and the doctors have very good bedside matter along with being very informative. He took the time to answers my questions and I did not feel rushed in anyway. I have seen two different doctors here and I would recommend any of the doctors here.

Jill N.

Clean office friendly staff excellent doctor interactions. Listened to questions n not pushy. Good experience.

Clean office friendly staff excellent doctor interactions. Listened to questions n not pushy. Good experience.

Angela P.

Dr. Morar has been doing an excellent job on diagnosing my eye issues for 7yrs now. He has always been very cordial, professional and compassionate. Thanks Doc

Dr. Morar has been doing an excellent job on diagnosing my eye issues for 7yrs now. He has always been very cordial, professional and compassionate. Thanks Doc

Daryl W.

Dr. Morar is a great and smart doctor. All my relatives using him as their eye doctor. He is very caring and always spends time with you, listens to you and gives you good advis...

Dr. Morar is a great and smart doctor. All my relatives using him as their eye doctor. He is very caring and always spends time with you, listens to you and gives you good advises. The practice is very clean, all the staff are super friendly. If you have an emergency, they will help you even without appointments.

Ivanka G.

Facility is clean and the marjority of the front desk is pleasant. The doctor was amazing, kind and caring. My mother is very satisfied with the service.

Facility is clean and the marjority of the front desk is pleasant. The doctor was amazing, kind and caring. My mother is very satisfied with the service.

Maria C.

Very professional and courteous staff. Little to no waiting time on the day of your appointment. No matter what questions you ask they are always willing to take the time to exp...

Very professional and courteous staff. Little to no waiting time on the day of your appointment. No matter what questions you ask they are always willing to take the time to explain things to you and where necessary use visual aides in their explanations. Great service all around.

Ron F.

Great experience, excellent customer service. Gentlemen at desk was very knowledgeable, pleasant, compassionate. Rest of staff excellent service. Thank you all God Bless all of ...

Great experience, excellent customer service. Gentlemen at desk was very knowledgeable, pleasant, compassionate. Rest of staff excellent service. Thank you all God Bless all of you!

Lily

Cohen Eye Institute is one the best in New York City. Extremely professional and well educated people. They take good care of their patients immediately and lead you to the righ...

Cohen Eye Institute is one the best in New York City. Extremely professional and well educated people. They take good care of their patients immediately and lead you to the right track of your treatment.

Wisdom E.

Loved my doctor. As a new patient they were able to accomidated me for same day emergency appointment. I never had an issue with scheduling. The doctor was very caring for my ey...

Loved my doctor. As a new patient they were able to accomidated me for same day emergency appointment. I never had an issue with scheduling. The doctor was very caring for my eye and gave recommendations. Very professional, nice and knowledgeable.

Damaris P.

My experience in this facility is one of gratitude. I appreciate their professionalism and level of care they demonstrated throughout my visit .I thank the whole staff for their...

My experience in this facility is one of gratitude. I appreciate their professionalism and level of care they demonstrated throughout my visit .I thank the whole staff for their efficiency and their prompt services.

Tiffany

I didn't wait to much for them to call me inside,the staff are very nice and the Dr is polite & gentle. The place is affordable,nice & clean.

I didn't wait to much for them to call me inside,the staff are very nice and the Dr is polite & gentle. The place is affordable,nice & clean.

Blanca I.

Everyone was very professional, patient, and friendly . The Institute is very clean, the examination was thorough and the doctor made me feel confident and secure that he would ...

Everyone was very professional, patient, and friendly . The Institute is very clean, the examination was thorough and the doctor made me feel confident and secure that he would take care of my vision problems.

Larry A.

From entering into the office through completing my appointment, the staff and doctor were prompt, courtesy & professional, which is much appreciated.

From entering into the office through completing my appointment, the staff and doctor were prompt, courtesy & professional, which is much appreciated.

Alfred S.

Life-Changing Experience!I recently had LASIK surgery with Dr.Cohen and his team, and I honestly can’t believe I waited this long to do it. From start to finish, the...

Life-Changing Experience!I recently had LASIK surgery with Dr.Cohen and his team, and I honestly can’t believe I waited this long to do it. From start to finish, the entire process was smooth, professional, and surprisingly quick. The consultation was thorough—they explained everything in detail and answered all of my questions, which really helped ease any nerves I had.The actual procedure took less than 15 minutes, and I was seeing better almost immediately. By the next day, my vision was crystal clear—no glasses, no contacts, just perfect vision. It’s still wild to wake up and see without fumbling for glasses.The staff was incredibly kind and knowledgeable, and they made sure I was comfortable every step of the way. Recovery was easy, just a few days of taking it easy and using eye drops.Getting LASIK was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. If you’re on the fence—go for it. It’s truly life-changing!

Anonymous
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Why Choose Cohen Eye Institute?

  • Pioneering Care: Dr. Cohen is a fellowship-trained cornea specialist focusing 100% on vision correction.
  • Experience That Counts: With 80,000+ vision procedures, including advanced corneal surgeries, Dr. Cohen uniquely understands keratoconus progression and treatment.
  • Proprietary Approach: OZERA™ offers a customized care model unavailable at most practices.
  • Comprehensive Technology: We use high-resolution diagnostics and corneal biomechanics testing to catch keratoconus early and track subtle progression.
  • Trusted by Physicians: Over 1,000 doctors have trusted Dr. Cohen for their vision care—evidence of clinical excellence and surgical integrity.
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Frequently Asked Questions Keratoconus

What makes Dr. Cohen’s approach to keratoconus different?

Unlike many general ophthalmologists, Dr. Cohen is a dedicated corneal surgeon focusing exclusively on advanced vision correction. His OZERA™ protocol and use of proprietary diagnostics allow for early, precise, and highly personalized interventions that many clinics don’t offer.

Why should I choose Cohen Eye Institute for my keratoconus treatment?

Dr. Cohen has performed over 80,000 vision procedures and is one of the most experienced keratoconus surgeons in the region. We offer cutting-edge technology and a patient-first approach, ensuring your treatment is tailored for long-term stability and clarity, not just temporary relief.

Is keratoconus painful?

Most people experience light sensitivity and eye strain discomfort, but the condition is typically not painful unless complications (like hydrops) arise.

Can keratoconus cause blindness?

While keratoconus can lead to significant vision loss if untreated, modern treatments, especially when started early, greatly reduce the risk of severe impairment or transplant.

How soon can I return to daily activities after cross-linking?

Most patients resume light activities within 3–7 days, depending on their healing and response to treatment. We’ll provide personalized recovery instructions.

Will I eventually need a corneal transplant?

A transplant is rare and considered only when all other treatments fail. With options like cross-linking and OZERA™, many patients avoid corneal surgery altogether.

Does insurance cover treatment?

Many procedures, including cross-linking, are now covered when medically necessary. Coverage for custom lenses or advanced reshaping may vary. Our staff will help you navigate your benefits.

Can keratoconus return after treatment?

While cross-linking and OZERA™ are designed to halt progression, ongoing monitoring is important. We use corneal imaging to track any subtle changes over time.

What are the earliest warning signs of keratoconus?

Blurry or distorted vision that doesn’t improve with glasses, frequent prescription changes, or increased glare at night are all red flags. If you notice these symptoms, schedule an exam as soon as possible.

Schedule Your Consultation

Take the first step toward clarity and stability. Contact Cohen Eye Institute today to schedule your personalized keratoconus evaluation with Dr. Ilan Cohen—the corneal expert trusted by thousands of patients, including over 1,000 physicians.

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