UK Keratoconus Self-Help and Support Association

Hello all

I'm new to this forum but not new to KC. I have had the condition for over 20 years and have RGP lenses. I was diagnosed by the Eye Hospital in Bournemouth originally but now see a specialist optician. I have had a couple of changes of shape lenses but the condition is fairly stable, and my lenses comfortable. I wear them on average 15 or 16 hours a day, purely because I cannot see a thing without them! I have no glasses as a back up.

My problem is that I have recently moved offices and am now in an office with air conditioning and very little natural light. I am experiencing very painful and dry eyes, which has caused severe headaches. I have tried two different eye drops bought over the counter, Optex dry eyes, suitable for contact lens wearers and Refresh Contacts. The latter seemed to irritate my eyes, to the point where I felt I had left soap on the lenses.

I found your organisation whilst researching a solution, and found the leaflet titled Information for Employers. Since showing this to my manager, who was unaware I had this problem, he is arranging for me to move to a desk nearer the window and sourcing a bigger screen for the PC. My main problem is the air conditioning though and I need to know what drops people would recommend I try. I am seeing my optician next week, but at the moment I need to know what to ask for.

many thanks

Hello and welcome to the forum,
I'm so glad our Keratoconus at Work leaflet has meant your manager is now helpful and sympathetic. But oh, the curse of air conditioning! So many of us suffer with that. There are other drops you can try such as Clinitas and Systane. And do make sure any drops you get are preservative free. Where you sit in an air conditioned office can make a big difference - NOT underneath a vent! And anything that puts some moisture in the air would help. Perhaps your employer would provide a humidifier. Or can you have pot plants around your desk? Although air conditioning affects those of us with KC particularly, you may find that other contact lens wearers in the office are also feeling it and that other work colleagues would also welcome something to reduce the drying effects on eyes and skin.
Good luck
Anne

Hi Anne

Thanks so much for your response. I went to my optician today who gave me some Clinitas Soothe and suggested I put a drop in morning noon and early evening. I put a drop in each eye when I returned home and what bliss! I will see how I get on with these. I am returning to the optician early next week for a check up, to see if these drops suit me and help. Thanks for your suggestions of a humidifier and pot plants. I am not sure whether this would be possible, due to space in the office, we are packed in tight, but will bear this mind.

In my old office, we didnt have air con, I was sat by the window with good natural light and I did have pot plants in the office, but unfortunately we have been squeezed into another office with another department and these luxuries have long gone!

thanks again
Mrs T

another thing to look at is a more natural light source for those dull days. is the office lit by florescent (sp?) lights? ifso these can also aggravate the sore/tired eyes. Ask you boss about the possibility of spot lights as well. I have these directly over my desk - different circuit to the rest of the office and this makes such a difference to me when there is minimal natural light availabilty - if the rest of the office want lights on then they can but their florecesent lights arent anywhere near me or my computer.

Hi Lizb
Thanks very much, I realise fluorescent lights made my condition seem worse and if I cant get a seat near natural light, then this is something I will definately look into.
thanks again
Mrs T

I keep vials of clinitas soothe in my fridge.

All the best

Andrew