UK Keratoconus Self-Help and Support Association

Hi

New to the forum (long time reader tho) despite having had a corneal graft just over twenty years ago at 18 years old as a result of KC. I had been wearing fenestrated gas permeable lens in both eyes for years however due to a deterioration of the surface of my graft eye (constant scratches) and severe eye dryness I have been using a diagnostic kerasoft under the GP lens (piggy backing) on my graft eye.

This has really helped in terms of comfort, however for the last few weeks I have had quite severe redness in and around my iris where the kerasoft sits. My lens fitter is on holiday (typical isn't it) and I was very concerned so I got to see my consultant's registrar last week. The diagnosis was an inflammed eye as a result of dryness. I managed to take some holidays and left my lens out for four days and it did get slightly better but after being in work today and using my lens it has got worse.

My questions are:

Anyone had any similar experiences and can offer any help / solutions?
Anyone know whether the preservatives i use for my GP lens (which i always rinse with saline) could be contaminating my kerasoft soft lens?
Could the preservatives in my viscotears drops I use at night be contaminating the soft lens the following morning (i always use preservative free drops during the day)?

Really would be grateful for any advice etc even on the long term use of the piggy back system.
Thanks

bun

Welcome to the forum

You identify a problem with chronic use of artificial tears; the preservatives in some artificial tears can, when used over a long period, actually make one's eyes dryer!

I now always use preservative free artificial tears (I use clinitas soothe, but there are others on the market).

Andrew

Hi Tim,

It sounds to me you are suffering soemthing I have done with wearing lenses in my grafted eyes, my grafts are about the same age as yours. The redness and dryness was due to lack of oxygen getting through my lenses, I wasn't piggybacking, just RGP lenses.

Since transitioning out of an RGP lens I now use the Kerasoft IC lenses and i get better vision in them now than I got with an RGP lens and the dryness in my eyes is much reduced. Still use lubricating eyed drops that are preservative free to we the lens when I put it in and a drop in my eye last thing at night. I am now wearing lenses all my waking hours and my hospital have confirmed the health of my grafts has improved as a result. They used to panic whenever my eyes went read incase it lead to a rejection. It never did thankfully but we did look at other lens options.

The drops I find work best for me is Systane by Alcon.

Might be worth discssing if piggybacking is the right system for you or do you need to try a different lens type sucha s Kerasoft IC.

Hi Andrew / Gareth

Many thanks for your advice and time responding. Really interested to hear from you Gareth regarding your change from the GP lens to the Kerasoft. My lens fitter has not been confident that the Kerasoft could provide me with the same vision but I have an appointment on Monday and will be pushing for him to give it a go.

I will be giving both the drops you suggest a try as well. I have tried so many over the years and it is great to get some recommendations

Again many thanks for your time and advice, it really is appreciated, I was getting quite worried about the graft rejecting to be honest.

Jane