Download ArticleDownload ArticleThis article was co-authored by David Felsted, DO. Dr. David Felsted is a Comprehensive Ophthalmologist based in Flagstaff, Arizona. He specializes in cataract and refractive surgery, micro-invasive glaucoma surgery, ophthalmic lasers, dry eye disease, diabetic retinopathy, and ocular trauma. Dr. Felsted holds a BS in Accounting from Brigham Young University and a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from Midwestern University. He completed his Ophthalmic residency at The Medical College of Georgia.
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Keratoconus is an eye condition that affects the shape of your cornea and distorts your vision over time. Many cases are relatively minor and you only need glasses to correct them. Unfortunately, keratoconus could also be serious and you need to see an eye doctor as soon as possible if you experience symptoms like blurred or cloudy vision. Proper medical attention is the only way to prevent the condition from getting worse. After you see your eye doctor, then you can take some natural steps at home to support your eye health and vision.
Steps
If you think you have keratoconus, then you definitely need to see an ophthalmologist.[1] After your visit, you could take some steps in your everyday life to prevent the condition from getting worse. Overall, protecting your eyes from damage can prevent your corneas from distorting further, which could slow the condition’s progression. Remember that none of these home treatments are a replacement for professional treatment, so call your eye doctor if your vision gets worse at any point.
Load up on antioxidants to protect your corneas. Keratoconus could be caused or worsened by oxidative stress, which happens when chemicals called free radicals enter your body. Make sure to include plenty of antioxidants in your diet.[2] These are vitamins that work against free radicals. Good antioxidant sources include leafy green vegetables, berries, citrus fruits, carrots, shellfish, poultry, and tea.[3]- Some of the most important antioxidants are vitamins C and E, carotenoids, selenium, and zinc.
- Good antioxidant sources include fruits, leafy green vegetables, beans, soy, seafood, lean meats, and tea. Mix some of these into your diet every day.[4]
Wear 100% UV-blocking sunglasses every time you go outside. Damage from UV rays could damage your eyes and make keratoconus worse. Always wear 100% UV-blocking glasses to prevent your condition from getting worse.[5]- If you wear corrective glasses, then you’ll probably need prescription sunglasses as well. Otherwise, your vision won’t be as sharp.
- You can ask your eye doctor for sunglasses recommendations if you aren’t sure what the best types are.
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Avoid scratching or rubbing your eyes. Any damage to your eye could make keratoconus worse.[6] If you have a habit of rubbing your eyes, do your best to stop. Chronic eye-rubbing is a common way that people accidentally damage their eyes.[7]- Always wear goggles or some kind of eye protection if you're using power tools, cleaning, playing sports, using chemicals, or doing anything else where something might get in your eye as well.
Keep your allergies under control. Seasonal allergies can inflame your eyes and also make you rub or scratch them.[8] If you often experience allergies, then keep them under control with antihistamine medications and avoiding allergens like pollen.[9]- There are also some steps you could take to prevent your allergies naturally.
- If you have trouble keeping your allergies under control, see an allergist. You may need shots to reduce your allergy sensitivities.[10]
Moisten your eyes with artificial tears if they’re dry. Dry, irritated eyes could also damage your cornea and make keratoconus worse. You can relieve dry eyes with artificial tears and protect them from irritation.[11]
While you can take steps to protect your eyes and prevent keratoconus from getting worse, this is still a medical condition and only an eye doctor can treat it properly. If you experience the symptoms of keratoconus, which include blurred vision, light sensitivity, or a sudden worsening of your eyesight, then make an eye doctor appointment right away.[12] They’ll then advise you on the best steps to take.
Visit an eye doctor for prescription glasses or contacts. Corrective lenses can usually help patients with early keratoconus see better.[13] These will improve your vision and help you live as normally as possible. Visit your eye doctor for an exam and they will prescribe the right corrective lenses for you.[14]- The lens types that your eye doctor prescribes depends on how far the condition has progressed. In the early stages, regular glasses or soft contact lenses are fine. Hard contact lenses shaped to fit your eye come next. Scleral lenses that can adjust to the shape of your eye are used in advanced cases.
- Your eye doctor may also try hybrid lenses with a hard rim and soft core to make you more comfortable.
- If the keratoconus is in its early stages, you should still be able to wear contact lenses. If it’s progressed, then you might not be able to properly put the lenses into your eyes.
- You'll probably have to change your prescription often if the condition progresses.
Strengthen your cornea with a corneal cross-linking procedure. Cross-linking (CXL) is used for more advanced cases of keratoconus and could preserve your cornea’s shape and strength.[15] The eye doctor will pour a vitamin B solution into your eyes and then expose it to UV light for 15-30 minutes. This process strengthens the cornea, which could prevent the condition from getting worse and might even improve your eyesight.[16]
Correct the shape of your cornea with corneal implants. If your condition has progressed, your cornea may have high astigmatism. This makes your vision blurry and prevents you from wearing contacts. Your eye doctor can help reduce this problem with corneal inserts to flatten your cornea.[17] They will place small rings on your eyes to correct their shape. This could improve your vision and make it easier to wear contacts.[18]- Your eye doctor will give you after-care instructions to follow when you get home. Always follow these directions so you don’t damage the implants.[19]
- Corneal inserts are removable, so this isn’t a permanent measure.
Have a corneal transplant for advanced cases. This is usually the last option for serious keratoconus cases. During this procedure, the eye doctor will remove your damaged cornea and replace it with a donor cornea. As the new cornea heals, your vision should improve.[20]- Most people still have to wear glasses for 3-6 months after the surgery, because it takes time for the new cornea to bond with your eye. After this point, your vision might improve enough to stop wearing glasses.
Medical Takeaways
While there are natural ways to protect your eye health, these practices won’t treat keratoconus on their own. You need to see your eye doctor for further treatment, which might include some minor surgical procedures. This is the only way to prevent the condition from getting worse. With the right care, you can maintain your eye health and avoid further problems.
Expert Q&A
- QuestionWhat happens if you have keratoconus?
David Felsted, DODr. David Felsted is a Comprehensive Ophthalmologist based in Flagstaff, Arizona. He specializes in cataract and refractive surgery, micro-invasive glaucoma surgery, ophthalmic lasers, dry eye disease, diabetic retinopathy, and ocular trauma. Dr. Felsted holds a BS in Accounting from Brigham Young University and a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from Midwestern University. He completed his Ophthalmic residency at The Medical College of Georgia.
Comprehensive OphthalmologistKeratoconus thins out your cornea and causes a bulge, which creates issues for your vision overall. Many patients start seeing point sources of light, like halos and starbursts. They also have trouble reading faraway signs, and long-distance vision in general becomes difficult. - QuestionIs there a surgery for keratoconus?David Felsted, DODr. David Felsted is a Comprehensive Ophthalmologist based in Flagstaff, Arizona. He specializes in cataract and refractive surgery, micro-invasive glaucoma surgery, ophthalmic lasers, dry eye disease, diabetic retinopathy, and ocular trauma. Dr. Felsted holds a BS in Accounting from Brigham Young University and a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from Midwestern University. He completed his Ophthalmic residency at The Medical College of Georgia.
Comprehensive OphthalmologistThe FDA recently approved a new procedure called "collagen cross-linking," which helps stop the progression of keratoconus before it gets worse. You can also get a corneal transplant to help with your symptom, but this only lasts 10-20 years.
Tips
- Keratoconus usually appears early in life, starting around your teens or early 20s.[21]Thanks
- There are a few different types of keratoconus like nipple, oval, keratoglobus, and D-shaped. This refers to the shape and location of the distortions on your cornea. Different types might affect your eyesight differently, but the treatments you'll receive are the same.[22]Thanks
Warnings
- Always have someone else drive you to the eye doctor if you're having a procedure. Your vision will probably be blurry afterward.Thanks
- You should always see an eye doctor if your vision suddenly gets blurry. This could be a symptom of numerous other health issues besides keratoconus.[23]Thanks
References
- ↑ David Felsted, DO. Comprehensive Ophthalmologist. Expert Interview. 12 August 2021.
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3965806/
- ↑ https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/antioxidants/
- ↑ https://www.aoa.org/news/clinical-eye-care/eating-for-your-eyes
- ↑ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16303509/
- ↑ David Felsted, DO. Comprehensive Ophthalmologist. Expert Interview. 12 August 2021.
- ↑ https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/keratoconus-diagnosis
- ↑ David Felsted, DO. Comprehensive Ophthalmologist. Expert Interview. 12 August 2021.
- ↑ https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/001013.htm
- ↑ https://www.aaaai.org/tools-for-the-public/conditions-library/allergies/allergy-shots-(immunotherapy)
- ↑ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16303509/
- ↑ https://rarediseases.org/rare-diseases/keratoconus/
- ↑ David Felsted, DO. Comprehensive Ophthalmologist. Expert Interview. 12 August 2021.
- ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/14415-keratoconus
- ↑ David Felsted, DO. Comprehensive Ophthalmologist. Expert Interview. 12 August 2021.
- ↑ https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/keratoconus
- ↑ David Felsted, DO. Comprehensive Ophthalmologist. Expert Interview. 12 August 2021.
- ↑ https://www.aoa.org/healthy-eyes/eye-and-vision-conditions/keratoconus?sso=y
- ↑ https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/corneal-ring-implants
- ↑ https://www.aoa.org/healthy-eyes/eye-and-vision-conditions/keratoconus?sso=y
- ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/14415-keratoconus
- ↑ https://www.cedars-sinai.org/health-library/diseases-and-conditions/k/keratoconus.html
- ↑ https://www.aao.org/eye-health/symptoms/blurriness-2
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The content of this article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, examination, diagnosis, or treatment. You should always contact your doctor or other qualified healthcare professional before starting, changing, or stopping any kind of health treatment.
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