Lifestyle Tips for People with Keratoconus

Living with keratoconus can bring unique challenges to your daily life, but with the right habits, treatments, and professional guidance, you can protect your vision and maintain your quality of life. Here are some lifestyle tips to help you see clearly and comfortably every day.
 

Schedule Regular Comprehensive Eye Exams

Keratoconus is a progressive condition that can change over time, so it’s essential to stay on top of your eye health with comprehensive eye exams in Scotch Plains. Regular monitoring allows your optometrist to detect subtle changes in your cornea’s shape and update your treatment plan as needed. Early detection of progression can prevent more serious vision problems and reduce the need for surgical intervention.
 

Protect Your Eyes from Irritation

Rubbing your eyes can worsen keratoconus by weakening the corneal tissue. If you experience itching or discomfort, use prescribed allergy drops or artificial tears instead. Wearing sunglasses outdoors also helps protect your eyes from UV rays, dust, and wind - all of which can cause irritation or dryness.
 

Choose the Right Contact Lenses

Many patients with keratoconus experience significant improvements in vision and comfort with specialty contact lenses in Scotch Plains. These include scleral, hybrid, or rigid gas permeable (RGP) lenses that are specifically designed to fit the irregular shape of your cornea. Scleral lenses, for example, vault over the cornea and rest on the white part of the eye, providing clear vision and lasting comfort throughout the day.
 

Maintain Good Eye Hygiene

If you wear contact lenses, always follow proper hygiene practices. Clean and disinfect your lenses as recommended, avoid sleeping in them unless instructed by your doctor, and replace them on schedule. Keeping your eyes clean reduces the risk of infection, which is especially important for those with corneal irregularities.
 

Support Eye Health with Nutrition

A diet rich in antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids, and vitamins A and C can help strengthen your eyes and slow the progression of keratoconus. Incorporate foods like leafy greens, fish, citrus fruits, and nuts into your daily meals to promote overall eye health.
 

Manage Dry Eyes and Digital Strain

People with keratoconus often experience dry eyes, which can make wearing contacts uncomfortable. Use preservative-free lubricating drops as needed and follow the 20-20-20 rule when using screens - every 20 minutes, look 20 feet away for 20 seconds. These small habits can greatly improve comfort and reduce eye strain.
 

Take Control of Your Keratoconus with Expert Care

Keratoconus doesn’t have to limit your lifestyle. With regular comprehensive eye exams in Scotch Plains, proper eye care, and customized specialty contact lenses in Scotch Plains, you can continue to enjoy clear vision and an active lifestyle.

Schedule your comprehensive eye exam at Eye Care Center of North Jersey to receive personalized guidance and advanced care for keratoconus. Visit our office in Scotch Plains, New Jersey, or call (908) 322-8040 to book an appointment today.