"Contact lenses are the mainstay of vision correction for those with keratoconus and for most that means rigid gas permeable lenses of various designs. They are often called RGP or GP lenses. These contacts are made of a firm, durable plastic that transmits oxygen providing excellent eye health. They are easy to handle and to keep clean, which is an important factor in contact lens comfort.
The GP Lens Institute (GPLI) has created an outstanding instructional video about the proper care and handling of GP lenses. If you are new to RGP contact lens wear this video will teach you how to insert, remove and care for your lenses. If you are a veteran RGP lens wearer, it is an excellent reminder of how to care for your lenses.
Click http://www.contactlenses.org/care-and-handling.htm to watch the video.
Scleral Lenses are large diameter RGP lenses. Because of their size they require different insertion and removal techniques. If you wear scleral lenses, the Scleral Lens Society has an excellent video to help you manage these large lenses.
Click http://www.sclerallens.org/how-use-scleral-lenses to watch the video"
If you're on the NKCF's email distribution list already, you might well have seen these but if not, they are worth a look if you're new to RGPs (or may have forgotten all the good stuff your optometrist told you when you first got them !)
I love all the good folks I know who are citizens of that fine country. However, only the Americans could -- without any trace of irony -- produce these videos with their heartfelt "gee, ain't it great now you've got these fabulous lenses..." tone of voice ! While I can't deny I do "enjoy the many benefits of these contact lenses..." in the broadest sense, there are I must confess times where "enjoying" isn't exactly the word which springs to mind ! Still, it's probably meant for a non-Keratoconus patient audience so I'll cut them a little slack...
And it's very reassuring to see a demonstration of what to do if you're a novice and get that "lens gone round the back of the eye" incident -- it's pretty horrid when it first happens (must be 20 years ago for me, but I can still remeber it) as there's a very clear set of guidance including a demonstration of "moving it around under the eyelid" fix. Minus the discomfort and panic, of course.
Best wishes
Chris
