Charlotte’s Dedicated Keratoconus Specialty Clinic

Clear Vision for Those With Keratoconus

Our office was established to provide exceptional, compassionate care for keratoconus, and the majority of our patients have this disease.

75%+ of our patients come to us specifically for keratoconus management
240,000 elevation data points per scan to engineer customized scleral lenses
2 full hours of one-on-one time with Dr. Ariel Cerenzie at your initial exam

Prefer to speak with us directly? (704) 800-5230

Contact a Keratoconus Specialist

Fill out the info below to schedule a call with a member of our team who specializes in keratoconus.

75%

Our Patients With Keratoconus

The overwhelming majority of our daily caseload is dedicated solely to irregular cornea rehabilitation.

240,000

Data Points to Design the Best Lens

High-resolution Scheimpflug elevation tomography maps each unique corneal micro-contour.

1,000s

of Satisfied Keratoconus Patients

Patients travel across the Carolinas and nationwide to achieve comfortable, crystal-clear optics.

Dedicated Optometric Excellence

The Keratoconus Specialists in Charlotte

Around 75% of patients at the Charlotte Contact Lens Institute have keratoconus, a condition that is one of our primary focuses, setting us apart as a highly unique practice.

The main focus of our office is providing vision solutions for keratoconus, which has led Dr. Ariel Cerenzie to develop a deep expertise in maximizing patients’ vision and comfort in contact lenses. This includes maximizing long-term vision and ocular health by closely monitoring for potential progression with advanced technology.

If you have questions on keratoconus, we can be reached at (704) 800-5230 or hello@charlottecontactlens.com.

Specialized Medical Devices & Doctors

Doctors who specialize in keratoconus, paired with advanced medical devices engineered specifically to treat corneal ectasia.

Unrushed 2-Hour Comprehensive Exams

Initial consultations are ~2 hours of dedicated one-on-one time with your doctor to explore every treatment avenue.

Keratoconus Specialists Examination at Charlotte Contact Lens Institute

Looking for More Information on Keratoconus?

Explore Clinical Treatment Options

What is Keratoconus?

Keratoconus is an ocular condition in which the cornea weakens and acquires an irregular conical shape. This is accompanied by thinning of the central or paracentral cornea, resulting in corneal curvature imperfections (irregular astigmatism) that become impossible to correct with standard eyeglasses or conventional soft contact lenses.

Keratoconus usually affects both eyes, though often with significant asymmetry. Many patients only notice impaired vision once their stronger eye begins to change, by which time the condition may have already caused severe visual distortion in the fellow eye. Keratoconus typically emerges in the late teens or early twenties, affecting as many as 1 in 500 individuals.

Early stages frequently go undetected unless advanced corneal tomography scans of the eye’s front and back surfaces are performed. While mild cases might temporarily tolerate glasses, moderate-to-advanced keratoconus requires specialty optics to restore true clarity.

Specialty Contact Lenses as a Treatment Option

While there is currently no cure for keratoconus, the Charlotte Contact Lens Institute offers proven, state-of-the-art visual rehabilitation options. For the vast majority of patients, custom scleral contact lenses represent the gold standard in vision and comfort.

Scleral lenses are designed to “vault” completely over the irregular cornea, resting gently on the insensitive sclera (the white of the eye). Because the lens avoids touching the corneal surface entirely, wearers experience immediate comfort without the painful friction common with older small corneal GP lenses.

The liquid fluid reservoir between the lens and your cornea masks corneal distortions, neutralizing astigmatism and higher-order aberrations. Our clinic utilizes technology capturing up to 240,000 unique data points to engineer a 100% bespoke optical fit for your eye.

What is Corneal Cross-Linking (CXL)?

Corneal cross-linking (CXL) is a minimally invasive medical procedure that uses riboflavin (vitamin B2) drops activated by ultraviolet light to stiffen and strengthen collagen bonds within the corneal stroma.

While CXL is vital for stopping the progression of keratoconus and preventing further loss of corneal integrity, it does not reshape the cornea or eliminate optical distortions. Consequently, patients almost always still require specialty scleral contact lenses after cross-linking to achieve clear vision.

A Cross-Linking Evaluation is a routine assessment we perform to determine whether CXL is indicated. Area eye doctors frequently refer patients to our office because we are equipped with specialized tomography that detects the earliest micron-level signs of corneal ectasia progression.

Does Keratoconus Progress Over Time?

Keratoconus typically manifests during puberty or early adulthood (ages 10 to 25) and tends to progress steadily into a patient’s 30s or 40s. Some individuals experience rapid progression over months, while others progress gradually over years.

While the progression of keratoconus usually slows down or stabilizes around age 40, this timeline varies. Left unmonitored, unchecked progression can lead to severe corneal thinning, scarring, acute hydrops, and the eventual need for invasive corneal transplant surgery (PK/DALK).

Regular diagnostic imaging with our Oculus Pentacam AXL Wave allows us to compare serial elevation maps over time, catching subtle shifts immediately and protecting your lifetime visual potential.

Unrivaled Keratoconus Expertise

Why Charlotte Contact Lens Institute for Keratoconus Treatment?

Our clinic was purpose-built from the ground up to solve complex corneal diseases that standard optical practices cannot manage.

The Team

The team at Charlotte Contact Lens Institute are nationally recognized experts in managing keratoconus, with roughly 75% of our entire patient base receiving treatment for this specific condition.

Advanced Technology

Our office is one of a select few practices in the United States equipped with the Oculus Pentacam AXL Wave and Optovue Solix OCT, providing unmatched precision in analyzing and monitoring corneal ectasia.

Unlimited Answers

We schedule ample time for every consultation (~2 hours for initial exams). You will never be rushed through an appointment, and every question you have about your eyes will be answered in detail.

The Keratoconus Specialists

Roughly 75% of our patients come to us specifically for keratoconus management. There are few (if any) optometric practices nationwide that see a higher percentage of keratoconus patients as we do.

Access to the Doctor

Dr. Ariel Cerenzie and our clinical team remain accessible to answer your questions after your exam, ensuring continuous guidance throughout your fitting process and long-term corneal health.

Affordability & Financing

We keep our overhead focused strictly on high-impact diagnostic instrumentation to offer competitive, transparent pricing. We offer flexible monthly payment options through Cherry™ and accept HSA & FSA funds.

Dr. Ariel Cerenzie conducting a keratoconus slit-lamp examination at Charlotte Contact Lens Institute

Comprehensive Care Model

Summary: Life-Changing Vision is Within Reach

Our doctors are nationally recognized for their expertise in utilizing specialty contact lenses to help individuals manage their keratoconus and reclaim their visual independence.

Scleral lenses are one potential option for managing keratoconus, and during your 2-hour initial comprehensive consultation, the doctor will thoroughly evaluate your cornea and discuss all personalized options for your eyes.

Whether you were recently diagnosed with keratoconus, have struggled with uncomfortable lenses in the past, or require an evaluation for cross-linking, our specialized team is ready to assist you.

Ready to speak with our clinical team? Call us at (704) 800-5230 or send an email to hello@charlottecontactlens.com.

Request a Consultation

The Keratoconus Experts in Charlotte

Certified in leading custom scleral, wavefront-guided, and ocular surface prosthetic technologies:

Specialty Lens Laboratory Certification 1

Specialty Lens Laboratory Certification 2

Specialty Lens Laboratory Certification 3

Specialty Lens Laboratory Certification 4

Specialty Lens Laboratory Certification 5

Specialty Lens Laboratory Certification 6

Patient Testimonials

What Our Patients Think of Us

5.0

Verified Google Patient Reviews

Michael R.

1 month ago on Google

"I was diagnosed with keratoconus 8 years ago and had struggled with discomfort and blurry vision in standard lenses for years. Dr. Cerenzie is a true master of scleral lenses. Her technology captured thousands of data points on my eye, and for the first time in nearly a decade, I can see 20/15 with complete all-day comfort. Life-changing care!"

Sarah L.

2 months ago on Google

"The 2-hour exam with Dr. Cerenzie was unlike any eye appointment I've ever had. She explained my keratoconus progression thoroughly, coordinated my cross-linking evaluation, and fit me with scleral lenses that completely eliminated my ghosting and night halos. I can drive safely at night again!"

David K.

3 months ago on Google

"When other doctors told me my eyes were too difficult to fit, Charlotte Contact Lens Institute welcomed me with unmatched expertise. They have equipment here you won't find anywhere else in the Carolinas. Exceptional practice, warm staff, and flawless vision results."

Patient Questions

Frequently Asked Questions About Keratoconus

Clinical guidance on lens comfort, insurance, treatment duration, and what to expect during your exam.

Are scleral contact lenses painful or uncomfortable for keratoconus?

Not at all. In fact, custom scleral lenses are remarkably comfortable because they never touch the sensitive corneal surface. Instead, the lens vaults completely over the irregular cone and rests gently on the sclera (the white of the eye), which has far fewer nerve endings. The space between the lens and your cornea is filled with sterile, preservative-free saline, continuously bathing the eye in soothing hydration all day.

How do custom scleral lenses restore vision when glasses and standard contacts fail?

Keratoconus causes the cornea to thin and bulge into an irregular conical shape, creating complex optical distortions (higher-order aberrations, ghosting, and double vision) that flat glasses and flexible soft contacts cannot correct. Scleral lenses create a perfectly smooth, rigid new optical surface over the eye while the saline fluid reservoir optically neutralizes every underlying corneal irregularity.

What is the difference between Corneal Cross-Linking (CXL) and Scleral Lenses?

Corneal Cross-Linking (CXL) is a procedure performed to strengthen the cornea and stop keratoconus from progressing further. However, CXL does not reshape the cornea back to normal or reverse vision loss. Scleral contact lenses provide the optical correction needed to restore crisp, functional 20/20 vision after or alongside cross-linking.

Will specialty lenses help eliminate halos, starbursts, and glare while driving at night?

Yes. Night driving glare, starbursts around headlights, and streaking are caused by higher-order aberrations from the irregular conical corneal curvature. With our Oculus Pentacam AXL Wave and advanced wavefront-guided optics (such as OVITZ technology), we map and correct these optical aberrations to dramatically reduce glare and restore safe, confident night driving.

What happens during the initial 2-hour comprehensive consultation?

Unlike typical 15-minute eye exams, Dr. Ariel Cerenzie spends approximately two uninterrupted hours with you. We capture up to 240,000 corneal and scleral elevation data points using Scheimpflug tomography and anterior segment OCT, evaluate corneal cross-linking candidacy, perform precision diagnostic lens trials, and clearly walk you through your customized visual rehabilitation plan.

Take The First Step Toward Clear Sight

Schedule Your Keratoconus Consultation

Fill out the form below and our clinical coordinator will reach out promptly to answer your questions or schedule your comprehensive appointment.