UK Keratoconus Self-Help and Support Association

I was diagnosed KC a while ago and must say the optician in the hospital is not very much help at all, im waiting for a new gas lens which I do not like at all. I have read about all these treatments and ops people are getting. Can anyone give me a link or number were I could get some advice cos I would love to have a op and try and sort this out without having to wear a contact lens

cheers

Hi Richard

Any operation only has the aim to improve the corneal surface to make vision correction easier.

Not all opticians are aware of the surgical treatmnets for KC as that is not their field. The opthalmologist will be able to guide you in that respect. More hospitals are offering Intacs and to best of my knowledge Corneal Collegen Cross Linking using Rhiboflavin (C3R) is only available privatly. I know some NHS hospitals are in the process of getting some studies up and running.

Rigid Gas Permeable (RGP) lenses to take time to get used to and there are many other styles of this lens and lens combinations that help.

Without lubricating eye drops I can not wear my lenses for more than an hour! With eye drops and a slight change in diet away from drinks containing dieretics and having just water I now get an easy 12 hours plus lens wear.

What type of RGP lens are you using?

Many report here that one of the Rose K type lenses really help which is what I have.

There is also piggybacking which is where you wear a soft lens that acts like a cushion on the cornea ontop of which an RGP lens is to correct the KC.

Then there are the soft perms which are RGP in the middle and a soft skirt round the edges.

Having an operation still means there is a chance that you will need contact lenses. I do know that where this has been done lens wear is comfortable because the KC cone is far flatter.

Hope this helps and gives some food for thought.

hi

yeah thats a help. I dont even know what typ of lens it is just gas p. The only other lens i have heard of is the soft, which didnt improve my sight at all.

Hi Gareth,

Any operation only has the aim to improve the corneal surface to make vision correction easier.

Not to nit pick but mini ARK for example is definitely not designed to create a surface that is easier to correct. Actually this is one of the main points that got my attention in the first place. Personally I could not see the logic of having say, a graft, and then also having to deal with contacts lenses post op.

For me at least mini ARK offered a method were the surgery was intended to correct the problem not make the corneal surface ready for even further correction. Also, as has already been stated, mini ARK in no way prohibits an eventual graft should the need arise.

It is obviously not in anyway a simple eqastion to have mini ARK, there are many factors that contribute to whether a patient is appropriate for the procedure or not. But I do feel it is one that offers aspects for rehabilitaion that many other options may not.

Hari