After Marcus’ parents discovered that Marcus couldn’t read the whiteboard at school, they took him for a routine eye exam. Marcus couldn’t read the letters on the eye chart, and the technician saw something unusual about his left eye. His parents took Marcus to see an ophthalmologist, who diagnosed him with keratoconus and referred them to Phoenix Children’s. Keratoconus is a rare genetic eye condition where the corneas become thin and bulge outward. It’s a progressive disease that will affect Marcus for the rest of his life.