UK Keratoconus Self-Help and Support Association

Hi
I was diagnosed with KC back in 1999 in my mid 20s. Judging by some of the posts on here mine doesn't seem to servere. I wear soft contact lenses when I play sports but specs otherwise, although neither really give me any more than reasonable vision (i.e. playing golf I can't see the ball beyond 150 yards). I tried RGP lenses about 9 years ago but these lenses never sat properly in my eye. In fact it sat so that the base of the lens was cutting right across the center of my eye, hence I stopped wearing them after a few weeks.

My question is that is there any advance in the technology in contact lenses such that the probalem I might have had with RGP might be corrected? My optician could never give me a decent reason why the lenses sit so high in the eye, just that RGP should correct the problem.

Thanks

Welcome to the forum Royster.

Contact technology has come a long way in the past 10 years with respect to both RGP and soft lenses.

Do you see a highstreet optom or through your local hospital contact lens clinic?

I ask becasue highstreet optoms aren't always aware of the range of contact lenses available to us, hospitals usually have more but even for them it can be hard to stay current with the advances we have now.

My RGP lenses were pretty comfortable but since moving to Kerasoft K3 lenses which are Silicone Hydrogel lenses designed specifically for us I get 6/5 in each eye and all day lens wear.

Although we aren't at the one lens suits all yet, soft lenses might be of help.

Regrading RGP lenses there are flex edge, soft perms, piggy backing, Rose K, Rose K2, toric to name but a few.

Plenty to go at that might help you.

Hope this helps.

Gareth

Thanks for the response GarathB.
Yes I do see a high street optom, in fact I have an appointment for Tuesday which is one of the reason why I am arming myself with information to throw at the optom. The Kerra K3 lenses sound interesting, but how much do they cost generally. I usually wear Toric lenses that have to be specially made and they cost me £100 a pair which last 3-6 months.

Royster

if you are in the UK, you are entitled to lenses at a cost supported by the NHS. Even bespoke lenses that cost £1000 + to make should be available at around £53 each.

All the best

Andrew

ps welcome to the forum

To add to Andrews point.. lenses are generally only available at this subsidised price if you attend a hospital clinic OR can be fitted with an optom who is contracted to a hospital. Your High Street optom may not have this agreement with the hospital or indeed be able to get it. Then you have to find out if your hospital department actually fits the specialised lens you require... not all of them fit all types.

Prices will really vary according to each optom and there are three main keratoconic soft lenses available, Soflex, Acuity and KeraSoft3 - I suggest you google 'em to find out who does them nearest you or to arm yourself with more info for your optom.

Lynn

Thanks for your responses