Does contact lens use accelrate KC?

[jayuk]

Well Hari, you touch on a very good point here! And thats the effects of Contact Lenses on the Cornea (and I mean just normal corneas! let alone KC corneas!)

For me, I have always wondered what would happen if TWO sets of KC corneas; one treated with Lenses and another not being treated with lenses...would fair?....Do Lenses cause corneas to thin? Do they cause corneas to warp?...etc etc

But we now delve into MONEY!....as Lens manufacturers make Billions from Contact Lenses!and solutions......and before I sound like a raging made Conspiracy Theorists Ill shut up!

[Hari Navarro]

No topic is to precious to question. That is the beauty of these public forums... we take the time to open up topics that most times never see the light of day.

This is an interesting recent article involving contact lens wear and keratoconus:

Keratoconus and Contact Lenses; not as simple as thought
Gas permeable lenses are a mainstay of keratoconus therapy, but many providers feel that apical bearing contributes to apical scar formation, and may lead to progression of the disease via activation of epithelial derived matrix metalloproteinases. Because of this concern, many keratoconus patients are fit with apical clearing lenses. However, a review of the physical and mathematical models of the cornea in keratoconus patients has provided theoretical evidence that apical clearing of gas permeable (GP) contact lenses may actually promote cone development.

http://www.aao.org/education/sit_cornea/0018.cfm

Hari

[jayuk]

Hari....I agree with what you say.........and i think theres quite a few articles which basically say that Lenses may actually Help KC corneas get worse in one form or another....but the thing is is that its the chicken and egg situation.....as we can also assume that the KC progression was part of the progression...and the fact that we wore lenses has no bearing.....really tough one to address that one is!

[Hari Navarro]

It is indeed a tough one to address... but with the many thousands of KCer's that actively use contacts to deal with their KC isn't it one that should be givin the utmost priority?

Hari

[jayuk]

true..but its also one that

a) wouldnt be in the interest of Opticians
b) def wouldnt be in the interest of Manufacturers

And if we take into account that majority of studies are funded in one way or another; by the big manufacturers.....this one would be tough!

Jay - The Cynic!

[GarethB]

Interesting discussion;

If you were asked to take part in a study to see if lenses contributed to KC progression and you were in the catagory for no lenses how would you support yourself during the trial?

What effect would suddenly going without lenses have on your life and those around you?

Duscuss!

[jayuk]

Well Gareth; thats exactly it! Which poor bugger would get the short straw!!....As that would be some sacrifice even if it was like 12 months!!

[Anne B]

Can i just ask a question.

Are we talking about contact lenses causing scarring?

Anne

[jayuk]

Anne

Yes, sorry...we were basically talking about the effects of Contact lenses on Keratoconic corneas....................we know that incorrect lens fittings cause minute corneal surface tears....and also warping....but we were just talking in general

J

[Hari Navarro]

I decided to completely do away with my lenses for over 12 months before I decided to have ARK.
At the time I was working as a cinema projectionist in a very fashionable part of London (So in light of the fact that I had a very young family to support the decision was not one I took lightly).
I arrived at this decision because I truelly felt that the daily effect of RGP's against my already weakened cornea was not a good path to follow. At the time I had no alternative but I was damned if I was going to further aggrevate the problem purely so that I could function... that is be able to see to an extent that would allow me to half do my job.
I have to say that by not having to clean, find and deal with my lenses on a day to day basis proved a massive relief... if not initially to my sight then surely to my mental state. I was free... but still I could not see.
The upshot is that I decided to have mini ARK and for me at least my contact lens free days have continued.
There is a massive market out there that trades in contact lenses... I dont think its a concerted effort to NOT direct us into the best possible treatment path... I think its one that many just do not know exists, and why would someone who does not even have KC even care.
Lenses, cleaning fluid etc etc are big business... not everyone in that business is a doctor with his patients best interests at heart.
The effect that going without lenses ment that I moved country, started a new job and began again.
Truth is that the move didn't exactly work out but I did get my sight back... its all one big balancing act.
I have now, over a year post ARK, moved again and are looking forward to again doing the things that I took for granted pre KC.

Hari