Will we get feedback from this conference?

[Bob]

Hi all.
Whilst having a KC google session came across this:

http://www.wordsbureausystems.co.uk/con ... ctures.htm

Its happening today and there are various lectures with respect to KC.

Is it likely that any contributors to the forum will be in attendance and will give feedback?

Bob

[Anne Klepacz]

Hi Bob
This is a conference for ophthalmologists, not for mere mortals like us! But some of the speakers at this conference have given talks at KC Group conferences and the members meetings we organise, so we do get updates on what's happening in the KC world as you'll see when you get the DVD and newsletter I've put in the post to you.
And a couple of us are going to the British Contact Lens Association conference tomorrow for their KC day. We're there to raise the profile of the KC Group by exhibiting some of our literature so that more optometrists and contact lens practitioners become aware that a support group for KC exists and tell their patients about us. If we manage to get in to any of the lectures, I'll certainly try to give some feedback from that, though we may be too busy talking to interested delegates!
Anne

[Anne Klepacz]

Just to report back that we made some useful contacts at the BCLA conference. And we managed to hear one panel session on KC. Interestingly a lot of the discussion was around whether rgps should continue to be the first lenses offered for KC. Soft lenses for KC, hybrid lenses and greater use of piggy backing were all being recommended. So options which are gentler on our delicate corneas seem to be rising up the agenda for optoms which sounds like good news for us! And of course, the point was made that KC is very individual, so options will be different for each of us.
Anne

[Ali Akay]

Just adding to Anne's post regarding BCLA conference, there was a very interesting lecture by eminent US scientist Dr Christina Kenney who presented fairly convincing evidence that keratoconic corneas are more susceptiple to oxidative damage. I wont bore you with all the scientific details, but her recommendations were:
1.Protect the eyes against UV radiation by sunglasses or UV absorbing contact lenses
2.Keep the corneas well lubricated with preservative-free artificial tears
3.Make sure any underlying allergies / hay fever under good control with eye drops and/or antihistamine tablets to avoid eye-rubbing
4.Make sure contact lenses regularly checked and well fitting to avoid damage to the fragile keratoconic cornea
5.Adopt a diet rich in green leafy vegetables and / or anti-oxidant supplements, Omega 3 and Green Tea Extract is apparently very good
6.Avoid smoking

Some of this is common sense, but the scientific evidence she presented was pretty impressive stuff. She acknowledged that KC is multi-factorial, and there's an awful lot we dont know yet, but, for those keen to do all they can to prevent / slow down progression of KC, the above seems to be sensible guidelines to follow at present.

There was also an interesting discussion regarding crosslinking. Although there was a general feeling that it works in the sense that it stops progression but does not make any improvement as such, one eminent surgeon expressed strong reservations about it. He expressed the view that crosslinking is an invasive technique and he felt it was wrong to expose young corneas to it as long term results were not known. My personal feeling is that it might be justified for patients showing rapid progression, but perhaps premature to consider crosslinking at the time of diagnosis without evidence of progression.

[Anne Klepacz]

Very many thanks for this feedback, Ali.
Anne