Haptics or Contact Lenses?

[Rafteryj]

First of all can I just say its a real relief to find a site like this. I have been diagnosed as having KC this year and I've been worried out it ever since. Sites like this really put your mind at ease reading about other fellow KC people.

My question - I am currently wearing gas permeable lenses on top of daily soft disposable ones (I think its called piggy back?). Although this gives me pretty good vision I do have the following concerns –

1) Several times a week at least one of both lenses have fallen out of my eye (in numerous embarrassing places!). I have been extremely lucky so far to have found them but this is a constant worry.
2) I am careful not to move my eyes too much (looking at the extremes to the right, left, up, or down) as this seems to increase the chances of me losing the lenses.
3) My other issue is that the lenses do move around when I blink. Quite often in the right eye (with the more severe kerataconus) this affects my vision so that I cannot see very well.

I am wondering whether it would be better for me to try the haptic lenses but I don’t really know that much about them? Can anyone offer any advice?

Apologies it this is on a FAQ, I did look everywhere!

[Matthew_]

Sorry, never heard of haptic lenses But it sounds like you need to try something
Good luck!

[Andrew MacLean]

Rafteryj

Welcome to the forum.

"Haptic" lenses are the same things as "Scleral" lenses. At one time all contact lenses were large enough to fit over the cornea and rest on the white (or sclera) of the eye.

when I became unable to wear RGP lenses IO wore a haptic in my left eye for a time. It was my favourite lens ever!

Andrew

[GarethB]

Rafteryj

Welcome.

There are many types of lenses that fall under the RGP banner. Technically Haptic or Scleral lenses fall under this umbrella too. We should really refer to these as corneal RGP contact lenses or Haptic RGP lens as they can be made from other materials too.

Corneal lenses need to move slightly to allow tears to flow around and beneath the lens so oxygenating the cornea. Too much movement can be harmful in many ways.

Another consideration is the style of lens you use, there are many types of RGP corneal contact lenses, on some people changing to a different manufacturer makes all the difference where as for others no matter what lens is used, the fit/comfort is equally bad.

Before making a decision, sit down with your optom who has more information than us and discuss all the possibilities. There are even soft lenses for KC whoch work very well too. The new ones Ultravision are working on and have supplied me give the same performance as my RGP lenses!

More options are becoming available.

Regards

Gareth