Minimum prescription for Kerasoft (or similar) lenses

[IH]

Hi all,

Last time I posted here was to talk of a positive experience with piggybacking to improve RPG comfort. Over time, I have started to feel discomfort again, even with the ‘piggybacking’.

I have read a bit on this forum about Kerasoft lenses (though can’t seem to find much else about them on the internet). I get the feeling they are only for people with mild cases of KC, which leads me to my question….What is mild? I am lucky enough to be able to wear glasses which give me sufficient vision to drive legally, however with my RPGs, my vision is a lot better (I choose to wear glasses 90% of the time, unless playing ball sports for instance.)

It doesn’t mean a lot to me but wondering if some of the many knowledgeable folk on this forum might be able to advise on my prescription and as to whether I may be a candidate for these Kerasoft or other soft lens?

R: 6.8 / 8.7 / -800
L: 7.0 / 8.7 / -625

Is this a bad case of KC? I believe I have been fairly stable over the past few years?

The reason why I ask this question on this forum and not my Optometrist is because I have just moved to Dublin from Australia (which don’t do these soft lenses for KC, or my Optom was not willing to fit them) and don’t yet know of any good KC Optometrists here yet. If anyone knows any good ones here or in London I would be interested to hear about them.

Thanks all.

[GarethB]

Hi and welcome to the forum.

My KC is not mild which is only a relative term, but I have been fitted with Kerasoft lenses and just waiting for an appointment to collect them.

Not all optoms are yet aware of them despite them being around for a while. I am only the second patient at the hospital I go to hey have fitted. From the fitting session I was getting 6/6, with my RGP's I get 6/4 and my sight can not be corrected anywhere near the driving standard with glasses.

So the fact you can get the legal limit with glasses Kerasoft may bewll be OK.

However my personal view is that if you can get good enough vison to drive legally with glasses then there is little point in wearing lenses.

An optom may well put me right on this as they have more knowledge on the matter than I and sharing experiences and learning is what this site is about, so I am willing to be educated.

Have a look at this post My Kerasoft fitting and see what the optoms that post here have said on the subject.

Regards

Gareth

[Andrew MacLean]

ivoryhunter

I'd change my optometrist, if I were you!

Have you been in touch with an ophthalmologist yet in Dublin? Of not, ask your family practitioner for a referral. The Pphthalmologist may be able to put you in touch with a hospital optometrist who is more experienced at fitting Keratoconic eyes.

Otherwise, somebody else here from Dublin may be in a position to suggest a hight street optometrist who had experience of fitting the range of lenses that are used for Keratoconus.

Andrew

[IH]

Gareth

thanks for your response. I have read your post about your Kerasoft fitting and wish you all the best. You mention you are hoping to receive them for Christmas, does that mean they are not made in the UK or it’s just how long it takes?

Can I ask what the cost of these lenses in the UK are?

You mention in your reply that if you could wear glasses why would you bother with lenses? I can understand why KC sufferers with lens comfort issues (like me) would say this, and I know I am lucky to have the glasses option. However, I feel the vision required to drive is fairly low, in that I am slightly above the limit but if am on unfamiliar roads or trying to read street signs it can be a little tricky (particularly at night). So the benefit for me in wearing contacts is that I will get better vision for those instances when I might need / like it.

Andrew

Yes, I’ll be changing Optom’s and will be doing some research soon for a good one to handle KC patients. I will also keep an eye out on this forum to see if anyone can suggest a good one in Dublin / Ireland.

Thanks

[GarethB]

Hi Ivoryhunter

As I am getting my lenses on the NHS the quickets turn round I can get in my area is four weeks between appointments and my last visit was 21 November so cutting it fine before Christmas. On the NHS, these have set me back £98.

I understand what you say about the driving standard and completing the Institute Advanced Motoring course made me realise what bad habits I had gotten into. This time last year I was having real lens problems so re did the course for my own peice of mind. The I was legally blind in my right eye and my left eye was right on the legal limit. This test is unlike a normal driving test where they tell you what turn to take, this they will tell you what road number or street name to go down so you need to be able to read the signs. I did this in twilight which for me at that time was harder than night or daylight. I passes the test with ease because of the way I was driving and the Police officer that did the test could not beleive the poor sight I had in the right eye and that I was just legal in the left.

I have encountred many people who strugle with lens wear as they strive to get perfect vision because to achieve this the shape of the lens is such it rubs more on the cornea which is not good. However if the sacrifice a degree of vision they can still do the same stuff as full vision, but have better lens comfort and so longer lens wear.

The pain they suffer for perfect vision is counter productive because ultimetly they have less vision overall. So from that perspective I can not see the point of suffering.

Anywhere I drive, it is according to the conditions which can mean driving below the speed limit. In unfamilier areas I will find a safe place to pull over and plan where I need to go, even if it is the next couple of miles. Then I am not drivingas if I am lost and if the signs are poorly light, obscured or damaged I know exactly where I need to go. None of my cars have sat nav, it is me and a map everytime.

My cars all have an antiglare tint on them and the windows are kept scrupulously clean (they are done at least once per week) so that glare is further reduced. This also helps with being able to see road signs at night.

Hope sharing the way I overcome sight problems with driving is of help.