Strengthening the Cornea in Keratoconus

If you have keratoconus, you probably already know that your cornea is weaker and thinner than it should be. Instead of holding its nice round shape, it bulges out into a cone causing blurry, distorted vision.

There is good news. You can strengthen your cornea. No, we’re not talking about cornea push-ups. We’re talking about proven treatments and lifestyle choices that can help stabilize keratoconus and protect your vision.

Why Does the Cornea Weaken in Keratoconus?

Your cornea is mostly made of collagen, which gives it strength and structure. In keratoconus, this collagen is weaker and breaks down faster, causing the cornea to thin and change shape over time.

Factors that can make keratoconus worse:
🚨 Rubbing your eyes excessively – This damages the collagen and speeds up corneal thinning.
🚨 Genetics – If it runs in your family, you might be more prone to developing it.
🚨 Inflammation & Allergies – Chronic eye irritation can contribute to progression.

How to Strengthen the Cornea and Protect Your Vision

1. Corneal Cross-Linking (CXL): The Gold Standard

👁️ If you want to stop keratoconus from getting worse, this is the treatment you need to know about. Corneal cross-linking (CXL) uses riboflavin (vitamin B2) and UV light to strengthen and stabilize the corneal collagen fibers, helping prevent further bulging.

✅ Who should get it? Anyone with progressive keratoconus that meets the requirements, and the earlier, the better!
✅ Does it improve vision? It won’t fully reverse the condition, but it can stop it from worsening.
✅ Is it safe? Yes! It’s FDA-approved and has been a game-changer for keratoconus patients.

2. Specialty Contact Lenses for Corneal Protection

Glasses usually don’t work as well for keratoconus, but specialty contacts can help improve vision and protect the cornea.

🔹 Scleral Lenses – These large, gas-permeable lenses vault over the cornea and hold a fluid layer between the lens and your eye, providing comfort and stability.
🔹 Hybrid Lenses – A mix of soft and gas-permeable materials for improved vision correction.
🔹 Custom Soft Lenses for Keratoconus – A good option for mild cases.

👁️ Pro tip: Stop wearing standard soft contact lenses! They don’t provide the stability your cornea needs.

3. Avoid Eye Rubbing—Seriously, Just Stop!

I know it’s tempting, especially if you have allergies, but rubbing your eyes damages the corneal collagen and can make keratoconus progress faster.

🚫 If your eyes are itchy:

Use preservative-free artificial tears.
Try an allergy eye drop (like Pataday or Zaditor).
Cold compresses work wonders for itching without harming the cornea.

4. Get the Right Nutrients for Corneal Health

While diet alone won’t stop keratoconus, certain vitamins and nutrients support overall eye health and collagen production.

🥩 Vitamin C (bell peppers, citrus fruits) – Helps with collagen formation.
🥑 Omega-3s (salmon, walnuts, flaxseeds) – Reduces inflammation in the eyes.
🥬 Lutein & Zeaxanthin (leafy greens, eggs) – Supports corneal health.

💊 Should you take a supplement? If you’re not getting enough from your diet, an eye health supplement might be a good idea!

5. Consider Surgery for Severe Cases

If keratoconus progresses too far, corneal cross-linking might not be enough, and surgery may be needed.

🩺 Surgical options include:
🔹 Intacs (Corneal Implants) – Tiny implants that flatten the cornea and improve vision.
🔹 Corneal Transplant – For advanced cases where the cornea is too damaged to function.

Take Control of Your Keratoconus Early

The key to protecting your vision is to treat keratoconus early and stop it from getting worse.

👀 Think you might need corneal cross-linking or specialty lenses? Call (859) 787-0936 or visit our office, 2020 Eyemax, in Lexington, Kentucky to book an appointment today.