Steph Curry has spent years seeing the basketball court in a way most people never knew about.
In 2018, the Golden State Warriors star learned that he had keratoconus after someone noticed him squinting during a game. Now, Curry is using his platform to help more people learn about the eye condition.
Curry recently shared his story as part of his work with Glaukos. He hopes his experience encourages people to pay attention to changes in their vision and get regular eye exams.
What Is Keratoconus?
Keratoconus affects the cornea, which is the clear front part of the eye.
Normally, the cornea has a smooth, dome-like shape. With keratoconus, the cornea becomes thinner and changes shape. Over time, it can bulge outward and take on a cone-like shape.
As the cornea changes, light may not focus properly on the retina. As a result, vision can become blurry or distorted.
Keratoconus can affect one or both eyes. Also, the amount and type of vision changes can vary from person to person.
Curry Did Not Know His Vision Was Different
One of the most interesting parts of Curry’s story is that he did not realize how much his vision had changed.
During a 2018 game, Warriors general manager Bob Myers noticed Curry squinting on the bench. After the game, Myers encouraged him to get his eyes checked.
At first, Curry did not think much of it. He had already learned to work around his vision.
In an interview with PEOPLE, Curry explained that he had experienced “crazy blurred vision or distorted images.” However, he thought that was simply how he saw.
His brain and daily habits had helped him adjust.
That can happen when vision changes slowly. You may get used to blurry or distorted vision without realizing that something has changed.
What Does Keratoconus Feel Like?
Keratoconus can cause several types of vision changes.
Some people may notice:
- Blurry vision
- Distorted images
- Ghosting or shadows around objects
- Increased sensitivity to light
- Glare or halos around lights
- Frequent changes in glasses prescriptions
- Headaches or eye strain
For example, lights at night may look stretched or have extra images around them. Straight lines may also appear less clear.
However, these symptoms can happen for many different reasons. Having one or more of them does not mean you have keratoconus.
That is why an eye exam matters.
Why Curry’s Keratoconus Was Easy to Miss
Vision changes do not always happen all at once.
Instead, the cornea may change slowly. Your brain can also adjust to small changes over time.
You might start squinting more. Perhaps you move closer to the screen. You may also change how you look at things without even thinking about it.
Because these habits can become normal, you may not realize that your vision needs attention.
Curry’s story shows why it can help to have someone else notice these changes. In his case, Bob Myers saw the squinting before Curry understood that something was wrong.
How Do Eye Doctors Check for Keratoconus?
A regular eye exam gives your eye care provider a chance to look for changes in your vision and eye health.
If your provider sees signs that need a closer look, they may recommend additional testing.
One important tool is corneal imaging. This technology can create detailed maps of the cornea and show its shape and thickness.
These measurements can help your eye care provider look for patterns linked to keratoconus.
Most importantly, testing can give you a clearer picture of what is happening with your eyes.
Curry Had to Adjust to Contact Lenses
After his diagnosis, Curry began wearing contact lenses to help improve his vision.
However, getting the right lenses was not an overnight process.
Curry explained that he needed the right fit and prescription. The lenses also needed to stay stable while he played basketball.
That matters for any athlete. A lens that shifts or does not provide clear vision can make it harder to focus on the game.
Over time, Curry became comfortable with his contacts. He has even joked that he is now a “trained professional” when it comes to putting them in.
More importantly, clearer vision gave him greater peace of mind.
Keratoconus Can Affect Everyday Life
You do not have to play professional basketball to notice the effects of changing vision.
Keratoconus can affect everyday activities such as driving, reading, working on a computer, playing sports, or seeing clearly at night.
For example, distorted vision can make signs or headlights harder to see. Computer work may also feel more tiring when your vision is not clear.
The effect can vary from person to person. Still, changes in vision deserve attention, especially when they continue or become more noticeable.
Why Regular Eye Exams Matter
Curry now gets his eyes checked regularly. PEOPLE reported that he has continued six-month eye checks as part of his care.
Your own eye exam schedule may look different. Your eye doctor can recommend a schedule based on your eyes, vision, and overall needs.
Regular exams can also help your provider compare changes over time.
That becomes especially important when an eye condition can change gradually.
Curry Wants People to Get Their Eyes Checked
Curry has said that he wants people to pay more attention to keratoconus because it is not talked about as much as many other eye conditions.
His message is simple: if something seems different about your vision, talk with your eye care provider.
You do not have to wait until your vision becomes difficult to manage.
A change may have a simple explanation. However, an eye exam can help find the reason.
Glaukos and Keratoconus Awareness
Curry is also bringing attention to keratoconus through his work as a paid spokesperson for Glaukos.
Glaukos is an ophthalmic medical technology and pharmaceutical company. The company works in eye care, including areas related to corneal health and keratoconus.
For people who have never heard of keratoconus, Curry’s story can help put a name to symptoms that may otherwise seem normal.
That awareness matters because many people may not know that changes such as ghosting, blurry vision, or distorted images can be worth discussing with an eye doctor.
Optical Illusions Is a Glaukos Keratoconus Detection and Referral Site
At Optical Illusions, we are proud to be one of the Glaukos Keratoconus Detection and Referral Sites in the Bay Area.
Our goal is to help patients understand their vision and recognize when additional testing may be helpful.
If you have noticed changes in your vision, tell your eye care provider what you are seeing. Details such as blurry vision, ghosting, glare, light sensitivity, or frequent prescription changes can help guide the conversation.
Not every vision change points to keratoconus. Still, you should not have to guess why your vision looks different.
What Curry Wants You to Know About Keratoconus
Steph Curry spent years adapting to the way he saw the world. He did not realize that his vision could be clearer until he received an eye exam and learned he had keratoconus.
His story is a good reminder to pay attention to changes in your vision.
If something feels different, bring it up at your next eye exam. If you have ongoing changes, consider making an appointment sooner.
Clear vision starts with understanding what your eyes need.
Schedule your appointment at 1 of our 4 conveniently located offices in San Jose, San Mateo, San Ramon, and Juneau.
Schedule your appointment at 1 of our 4 conveniently located offices in San Jose, San Mateo, San Ramon, and Juneau.
