UK Keratoconus Self-Help and Support Association

Hi
I just got my first pair of RGP's about two weeks ago. I was diagnosed with KC about 2 months ago.

I have 20/20 vision with my lenses which is fantastic but I'm finding that sometimes its just too overwhelming what I can see and everything is so bright that it is giving me headaches.

I'm guessing that this is usual?

Mandy

Yes it is normal, as I'm sure everyone else will let you know too. You will probably get used to it soon. Wear sunglasses if you can when you are out and about, adjust computer monitors so that it is comfortable on your eyes.

Best wishes for the rest of your lens wear!

Keep the lenses clean and treat them with great care.

I agree Amarpal about the sunglasses, good idea alos to keep the eyes lubricated, I use blink, available in single dose vials.


Best of luck.

i have the same problem, but im waiting till i get my rgps, and i hopefully get 20/20, so i can get non prescription ones. sunglasses do help anyway.

I have to agree, bright light is a killer.

When you get some sunglasses can I suggest that you get rap around style that cover as much of your eyes as possible and fit as close to the skin (cheeks etc) as possible.

There are 2 reasons for this;
1. To stop wind getting into your eyes and drying them out causing your contacts to fall out (may happen, not a definate tho)
2. To stop all bright light even form the side as this can annoy you as well.
3. IF the contact falls out the glasses MAY catch it, you never know.

I use safety glasses when doing anything but driving as I find they give all that I have suggested and they are 99% uv

For driving I use a good pair of Bolle sunnies as there is little chance of windy condidtions inside a car.

Damo

I seem to go around switching the lights off in our house, for comfort, not just to save electricity! I have been known to watch TV in my sunglasses as I often find it too bright.

Val Graham wrote:I have been known to watch TV in my sunglasses as I often find it too bright.

I've been known to do that as well Val.

Where practical we've got dimmer switches fitted all round the house so I can adjust the lighting levels to suit me.

Mandy - it sounds very familiar and usual to me. If things are still too bright in sunglasses try combining them with a hat. Even a small brim cuts down on the amount of light reaching your eyes.

I took my children to our local outdoors swimming pool on a very sunny day. I was actually in pain because of the glare from the water. I had too get out in the end and lay on the grass with a T shirt over my head and leave hubby with the kids (KC does have it plus sides )
Also on sunny days i have real problems hanging white washing on the line to dry!

So when its too bright i can't see and when its to dark i can't see

Anne

Ditto, snap.

sunglasses are part of the kit for the person with KC. Some people go for a fashion statement, but being of an older disposition I have been liberated from all such considerations and just wear the biggest and most practical pair I can find.

Yours aye

Andrew

Since using Systane which has inproved lens comfort and being better hydrated over the past 8 months my light sensitivity has dramatically gone down which I attribute to the irritation I my cornea was experiencing although it did not feel that way to me!

Spent 14 hours ata photo shoot in the bright sun and still spot lights and flashes are used and rarly did I have the need to resort to the dark glasses.