Overview:

Keratoconus is a non-inflammatory eye condition in which the normally round dome-shaped cornea progressively thins causing a cone-like bulge to develop. This results in significant visual impairment. The cornea is the clear window of the eye and is responsible for refracting most of the light coming into the eye. Therefore, abnormalities of the cornea severely affect the way we see the world making simple tasks, like driving, watching TV or reading a book difficult.

Keratoconus(Bulging of the Cornea) occurs in approximately 100,000 ?150,000 people in the United States.

Symptoms:

• You become aware of visual distortion with and without eyeglasses.
• Standard contact lenses do not fit well.

Causes:

• Allergies ?approximately 40-50 percent of Keratoconus patients have allergies. Allergies may be a contributing factor, although not confirmed in any studies.
• Magnesium ?deficiencies are linked to Keratoconus. Alcoholism, pregnancy, diabetes, hyperthyroidism, diuretics and stress can lead to a magnesium deficiency. Low magnesium can cause a thinning of elastic membranes such as the cornea.
• Genetic disposition.

Conventional Treatment:

• Use of gas permeable contact lenses (one needs to see a specialist that fits contacts for Keratoconus.
• If severe, corneal transplant

Complementary Treatment:

We recommend the following protocol for Keratoconus: The recommendations are given in order of priority noted as Essential, Very Important, Important and Helpful.

Essential MSM Water Drops soften the membranes, allowing fluids to pass through the optical tissues. When our optical membranes become permeable, nutrients are able to penetrate through the optical tissues and provide nutrients needed for the body to heal itself. MSM softens tough-leathery tissue, equalizes pressure, repairs damaged membranes, clears up red spots and broken blood vessels and may help remove floaters and other eye particles. Cost is $8 per 1 oz bottle.
Essential: N-Acetyl-Cysteine (NAC) assists in the production and use of glutathione in the eyes. Cost is $30 per bottle ($28 on automatic delivery). Recommended dosage is 1 capsule per day (90 capsules per bottle). Each capsule contains 900 mg. This is a 3-month supply.
Essential: Vitamin C Time-Released Tablets - Each bottle contains 100 - 1,000 mg time-released tablets with 100 mg of lemon bioflavenoids. Time-C-Bio tablets are formulated to provide a gradual release of vitamin C and bioflavonoids over a period of 6 to 8 hours. Vitamin C has been shown in studies to help prevent cataracts,and also helps make collagen which strengthens the capillaries that nourish the retina, protects against UV light and is a powerful antioxidant. The eye contains the second highest concentration of vitamin C in the body next to the adrenal glands. Cost $15.50 per bottle ($14.50 on automatic delivery). Recommended dosage is 2 tablets per day (2,000 mg total) with meals.
Essential: Beta-carotene ?recommended dosage 25,000 I.U. daily (Available at your local healthfood store).
Helpful: VIVA-Drops from Advanced Pharmaceuticals. Adds vitamin A directly to your eyes. Cost to you is $10 per month.
Helpful: PaleoGreens Formula is excellent Green formula with a full array of organic vegetables, organic fruits and wheatgrasses. Cost is $42 per bottle ($40 per bottle on automatic delivery)

Note: Look into natural allergy treatments, such as herbal remedies and homeopathy.

Precaution: If you are taking other supplements such as a multivitamin, do not exceed recommended dosages above unless prescribed by a licensed health care professional.

Self Help:

Since we consider most eye conditions to be a reflection of the health of the whole body, lifestyle choices and diet can play a major factor in getting and maintaining good vision. Below are some recommendations:

• Limit the consumption of saturated fats, greasy fried foods, refined sugars and carbohydrates, artificial sweeteners (saccharine and aspartame)
• The Vision Diet. recommended in Natural Eye Care, co-authored by Marc Grossman, O.D., L.Ac., references many studies that show what you eat has some effect on your visual health. Unfortunately, food alone can’t provide maximally effective help, particularly at the point where therapeutic dosages of certain nutrients are needed.
• Exercise daily - do at least 20 minutes of aerobic exercise daily. Walking and swimming are two excellent forms of exercise.
• Managing your emotional health is very important in maintaining physical health. Fear (fear of failure, responsibility, of being alone, of death, etc.) is at the root of many of life’s problems, and is a major factor in the development of eye problems.
• Stop smoking, drinking caffeine and sodas, limit your alcohol consumption to 1 glass of red wine at night.
• Wear 100% UVA and UVB protecting wraparound sunglasses with a brimmed hat when you are outside.