UK Keratoconus Self-Help and Support Association

Just wondering what solutions ppl use for there contacts...ive found over the years that rgp lens solutions tend to be abit thick a gloopey causing any debris to stick to it thus causing irritation , ive found that using soft lens solutions seem to be much better being that they are usually thinner and less sticky (if that makes sense!) the only down-side is that they dont seem to provide quite as much cushioing which on some days would be helpful...

Hi Matt

Basicaly solutions for soft lenses are designed for soft lenses and RGP solutions for RGP lenses, they need to be different because fo the types of materials used.

RGP solutuions are gloopy and many of us find it easier to rinse everything with saline between the cleaner and putting in the conditioner over night. I found too after taking the lenses out of the conditioning solution a thorough rinse in saline before putting them in my eye helped. I don't think soft lens solutions have anything to lubricate the lens before it goes in your eye which again why it isn't gloopy.

I've also found that people with KC are all different when it comes to the soluitions and eye drops they can tolerate. For me the lubricating eye drops Systane by Alcon works but I tried half a dozen or so eye drops to find one that worked and I now put a drop of this into the lens before I put a lens in. These are compatible with all contact lenses. Used to se them with my RGP's and now I use them with my soft K3 lenses.

I use the AMO Total programme; cleaner and wetting/soaking fluid.

As Gareth says, I rinse with sterile saline.

Once a week I use Tesco protein remover tablets, dissolved in Saline and soak my lens in this mixture overnight before rinsing, wetting and inserting the next day.

Andrew

Finding the correct solution for you can involve a little bit (and sometimes a lot) of trial and error. RGP solutions do tend to coat the lens to help keep it moist over the course of the day.
Comfort/re wetting drops also tend to require some trial and error.
Having said that knowledge of the solutions comfort drops and their contents can help point you in the right direction more quickly.

i too rinse with saline prior to inserting my lens , i also find it helps placing one or two drops of fresh solution on my lens after rinsing ...ive must of tried nealry all the solutions on the high over the years but have found that amo complete works best for me despite it being for soft lens's...ive also found that actually washing my eye out with fresh saline helps as it removes any possible debris from my eyes before i put my lens in.

with regards to lens wear i currently only wear a lens in my right eye as my left eye seems to be less tolerant to lens wear due to the nature of the steepening of my cornea . im due to see my local consultant in febuary at bath ruh as its been some time since i last saw him , hopefully he comes up with some answers with regards to my left eye as i feel on occasions it can "let the side down" if that makes sense especially where colour depth is concerned...my nhs optometrist has also discussed the possibility of myself being reffered to moorfields as they have a wider range of lens's on offer which sounds hopefull.....i was wondering if anyone has any experience of bristol eye hospital as its closer to home than moorfields which would be advantageous to me...thats enough of me jibbering on..thanxs guys..one more thing whats the rough average with regards to peoples lens change due to KC progression , ive only had two different types of lens's in ten years which my optician seems to think is good..ive been using the same lens for 5 years or more with no signs of deteriation (touch wood!)