UK Keratoconus Self-Help and Support Association

Hi,
I went in for a trial for kerasoft lenses today, but they told me that I need to get a RGP fit first
They said they would order the kerasoft lenses with the same fit.

1)While fitting RGP, I did see a lot of ghosting with RGP ,it was as bad as my spectacle correction.. isn't RGP supposed to eliminate ghosting and give a good vision?
2) Will i see the same ghosting with kerasoft lenses too? im worried.
2) Are there any lens that can suppress the ghosting?
3)Do other companies apart from ultra vision manufacture kerasoft lenses? The reason why I ask is because they named a company called "classic" when I asked them.


Thanks
Chitra

Hi Sarkac
I am sorry but there must be a misunderstanding somewhere. I've been fitting Kerasoft lenses in its various versions (Kerasoft, Kerasoft2, Kerasoft3, KIC) for many years and have never come across carrying out an RGP fitting first and using the fitting characteristics of that to order a Kerasoft. In my opinion it just doesnt work as they are entirely different. There is another soft keratoconus lens on the market, Soft K by Acuity Contact Lenses. The fitting characteristics of that are similar to RGP s, and, I guess it is possible to carry out a fitting with Acuity RGP set, and use that information to order a Soft K. I dont personally use this approach but know some practitioners who do. I dont know a contact lens manufacturer called "Classic" I am afraid. I am wondering if your practitioner has used the name "Kerasoft" loosely meaning soft keratoconus lens rather than the Kerasoft Brand per se. I'd wait until you return for your next appointment and perhaps ask for some clarification. I guess what really matters is if the lenses work or not, if they do, doesnt really matter what they are and how your practitioner has arrived at the correct specifications!

Thanks for the reply there, are you aware of any lenses that can reduce ghosting?

Hi Sarkac

The problem is there are numerous causes of ghosting with keratoconus, some will be less troublesome with rigid lenses, others with soft, so there's no easy answer! However, on the whole, ghosting should be less troublesome with rigid lenses, at least in a consulting room situation where you had the fitting if the lenses are fitting and centering well. Ghosting is caused by multiple images due to irregular corneal surface, and when the distortion is only on the front surface of the cornea, rigid lenses should reduce it to a great extent. However, sometimes there is also distortion on the back surface of the cornea and rigid lenses wont be very effective in dealing with this, and a toric design soft lens like Kerasoft may be more effective. The other problem with small rigid lenses is that they tend to sit low on the cornea due to apex of the cone often being below corneal centre, and you may be getting ghosting from looking through the peripheral part of the lens rather than the centre. In this case a larger rigid lens like SO Clear may work better. As I said earlier, there's no easy answer, its a case of whatever works best for you, some patients gets sharper vision with soft lenses, others with rigid for the reasons I tried to explain. Hopefully your practitioner will work with you in finding the lens type that works best for you.

Hi,
That makes sense to me, I will go in for my appointment and see which lens suits me the best
Fingers crossed
God bless
CDS