New patient: C3-R or Lens ?

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Hello everyone on the board
I was just recently diagnosed with Keratoconous with an orbscan, I am 26 yo male
my right eye is almost normal whereas the left is showing Keratoconous
I have consulted few doctors and some are recommending C3-R straight away whereas others say that Keratoconous is mild and should be treated with hard contact lens

I am unsure and confused that which is the better path to follow ? can anyone give some recommendations, I can also post reading from the orb scan, if they can be of any help

[Lizb]

The idea of C3R (CXL) is to stop/slow the progression of KC. It is a very personal opinion and very few places in the UK undertake CXL on the NHs as it is not yet approved by NICE. however it is a procedure that has been around for around 10-15 years privately.

There are a number of factors in CXL going ahead, one of these is the thickness of the cornea (minimum thickness). the more progression there is then the thinner the cornea is. However if you have only just been diagnosed you may not know how your KC is progressing, and it may be worth a 6 month wait.
KC is a very personal condition, and for me had i known about CXL when i was first diagnosed then i would have had the procedure as i could still get vision in glassess and have yet to find a type of contact lens i can wear for any length of time

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Thanks for the advice, I am not from UK
I am from Pakistan

does putting in hard contact lens also contain/slow the progress of KC? or is the only purpose of hard lens is vision correction ?

[Lizb]

lenses are only for vision correction - and some optoms actual prefer to keep someone in glasses rather than CL if they can get good vision due to the higher risk of problems with CL over glasses - risk of infection, limited weartime, dryness among a few

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oh well that is confusing
I was told that lens also help to hold back the eye and stop further shape deterioration

[Lizb]

I am sure that some of the experts will confirm the information that you have been given, however i was always led to believe the CL only correct vision and nothing else