How to Manage Keratoconus: Natural and Medical Methods

Co-authored by David Felsted, DO

Last Updated: July 13, 2022 References

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.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Lifestyle Tips

Download Article

If you think you have keratoconus, then you definitely need to see an ophthalmologist.^{[1]
X
Expert Source

David Felsted, DO
Comprehensive Ophthalmologist

Expert Interview. 12 August 2021.} 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.

1
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]
X
Trustworthy Source

PubMed Central
Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health

Go to source} These are vitamins that work against free radicals. Good antioxidant sources include leafy green vegetables, berries, citrus fruits, carrots, shellfish, poultry, and tea.^{[3]
X
Research source}
- 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]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  
  American Optometric Association
  Professional medical organization dedicated to supporting optometrists and improving public eye and vision health
  
  Go to source}
2
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]
X
Trustworthy Source

PubMed Central
Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health

Go to source}
- 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.
Advertisement
3
Avoid scratching or rubbing your eyes. Any damage to your eye could make keratoconus worse.^{[6]
X
Expert Source

David Felsted, DO
Comprehensive Ophthalmologist

Expert Interview. 12 August 2021.} 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]
X
Trustworthy Source

American Academy of Opthamologists
Professional medical organization focused on advocating for public health and supporting sight-related research

Go to source}
- 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.
4
Keep your allergies under control. Seasonal allergies can inflame your eyes and also make you rub or scratch them.^{[8]
X
Expert Source

David Felsted, DO
Comprehensive Ophthalmologist

Expert Interview. 12 August 2021.} If you often experience allergies, then keep them under control with antihistamine medications and avoiding allergens like pollen.^{[9]
X
Trustworthy Source

MedlinePlus
Collection of medical information sourced from the US National Library of Medicine

Go to source}
- 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]
  X
  Research source}
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]
X
Trustworthy Source

PubMed Central
Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health

Go to source}

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Medical Treatments

Download Article

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]
X
Research source} They’ll then advise you on the best steps to take.

1
Visit an eye doctor for prescription glasses or contacts. Corrective lenses can usually help patients with early keratoconus see better.^{[13]
X
Expert Source

David Felsted, DO
Comprehensive Ophthalmologist

Expert Interview. 12 August 2021.} 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]
X
Trustworthy Source

Cleveland Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals

Go to source}
- 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.
Cross-linking (CXL) is used for more advanced cases of keratoconus and could preserve your cornea’s shape and strength.^{[15]
X
Expert Source

David Felsted, DO
Comprehensive Ophthalmologist

Expert Interview. 12 August 2021.} 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]
X
Trustworthy Source

Johns Hopkins Medicine
Official resource database of the world-leading Johns Hopkins Hospital

Go to source}
3
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]
X
Expert Source

David Felsted, DO
Comprehensive Ophthalmologist

Expert Interview. 12 August 2021.} 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]
X
Trustworthy Source

American Optometric Association
Professional medical organization dedicated to supporting optometrists and improving public eye and vision health

Go to source}
- 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]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  
  Johns Hopkins Medicine
  Official resource database of the world-leading Johns Hopkins Hospital
  
  Go to source}
- Corneal inserts are removable, so this isn’t a permanent measure.
4
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]
X
Trustworthy Source

American Optometric Association
Professional medical organization dedicated to supporting optometrists and improving public eye and vision health

Go to source}
- 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

Search

Add New Question

Question

What happens if you have keratoconus?

David Felsted, DO
Comprehensive Ophthalmologist
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.

David Felsted, DO

Comprehensive Ophthalmologist

Expert Answer

Keratoconus 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.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 0 Helpful 6
Question

Is there a surgery for keratoconus?

David Felsted, DO
Comprehensive Ophthalmologist
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.

David Felsted, DO

Comprehensive Ophthalmologist

Expert Answer

The 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.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 0 Helpful 4

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Tips

Keratoconus usually appears early in life, starting around your teens or early 20s.^{[21]
X
Trustworthy Source

Cleveland Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals

Go to source}

Thanks
Helpful 3 Not Helpful 0
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]
X
Trustworthy Source

Cedars Sinai Hospital
Website of one of the world's leading hospitals

Go to source}

Thanks
Helpful 4 Not Helpful 1

Submit a Tip

All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published

Name

Please provide your name and last initial

Submit

Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

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
Helpful 2 Not Helpful 1
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]
X
Trustworthy Source

American Academy of Opthamologists
Professional medical organization focused on advocating for public health and supporting sight-related research

Go to source}

Thanks
Helpful 2 Not Helpful 0