UK Keratoconus Self-Help and Support Association

Hi All,

My son has decided to give contacts a try so this morning he went to the local specsavers for fitting etc. he asked me to go along for moral support as his partner was working. Fortunately he doesn't have KC although they are aware that I have it, anyway he tried out the lenses and hopefully he will manage them but I was slightly concerned because he has an astigmatism in one eye and the optician he saw told him that while the lens won't correct this and his vision might be a bit blurred he should get used to it. Do you suppose if he decides to go ahead with lenses they may prescribe a lens that will correct the astignatism or as he will probably get these monthly disposables they won't bother and if not will it affect my son's sight in that eye?

Also, could someone please explain the concert of continuous wear lenses, the type you can wear 24/7 for a month before needing to replace them. What are they made of that they don't need cleaning and do they cause problems?

I hasten to add I haven't mentioned to him my thoughts about the astigmatism I would just like to know for my own benefit after all my son is 26 so can ask those questions himself if he wants.

Hope someone can help.

Cheers All.

Lesley.

ps I do have to say that I'm glad I started with RGPs before going on to sclerals because I'm not sure I could have managed the soft lenses, too much getting too near the eyeball for my liking!

Lesley

I entirely agree about soft lenses. I did try them, but the business of 'plucking' them off my eye left me with a bit of a cold shiver.

My son also tried contact lenses, the soft kind, but his were daily replaceable lenses. I have no idea bout these ones that people leave in for a month. The idea sets little alarms ringing about lens hygiene and eye-health. I am sure that clever people have made all the tests to be sure that they are safe to use, but I still don't think that I'd be happy with them in my eye day and night for a full month.

Andrew

Lesley,

Its quite common for fitters to supply lenses that don't correct astigmatism as a first option. There are several possible reasons why they did this. One may be that the astigmatism is low so may be fairly well "masked" by the lenses they are trying. Another is that lenses that correct astigmatism (Toric lenses) in disposable form have limited parameter options - i.e. they have a small range of "cyl" powers and axes. It may be that your sons astigmatism does not easily fall into the ready made categories. Plus, toric lenses are more expensive for the patient.

Some practices do not deal with toric lenses at all and certainly the High Street multiples tend not to deal with custom made lenses as it take sup too much chair time, but this does depend often on the contact lens fitters in an individual practice.

Not correcting the astigmatism will not hurt your sons eye - the worst it could do is give him eyestrain or a headache which would go away if he changed lens type or didn't wear CL's.

Extended wear lenses are usually manufactured from Silicone Hydrogel material which does allow enough oxygen to reach the eye in sleep mode. They have been tested in regard to depositing etc and are licensed for continuous wear of 30 days. The tears in the eye do have their own built in "antiseptic" as well, which helps!

Andrew and Lynn,

Thankyou for your replies, they are really helpful and have answered my questions.

I have something to keep in mind if my son asks me any questions.

Thanks again.

Lesley.