Would an optometrist miss Keratoconus?!


Question: Would an optometrist miss Keratoconus?
Went to an optometrist about a month and a half ago, because the vision in my right eye was slightly blurred. He told me I was nearsighted, and that he'd monitor the progression of it over the next year or so. I'm just wondering, is it possible that he would've missed Keratoconus, or do they do checks for this as part of a routine checkup?

Also, I am going to my general practitioner tomorrow - is it possible for a GP to diagnose KC, or would I have to see an eye specialist for it?

Answers:

Best Answer - Chosen by Voters

Keratometry (a measurement of the cornea's curvature) as well as a microscopic examination of the cornea are both part of a routine eye examination. Very early/mild cases of keratoconus are easy to miss, but if your optometrist has already given you a reason why your vision is blurred (i.e. you're nearsighted), then it's unlikely that you have keratoconus.
And no, most GPs haven't got a clue how to diagnose keratoconus; you'd need to see an optometrist or an ophthalmologist to actually diagnose it.

I'm an optometrist.



you can optometrist not miss keratoconus.



Going your general practitioner tomorrow - that's a fab idea



The GP has no way to measure the cornea, so unless he views the cornea from the side he won't pick it up.




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