First Lens fitting - any advice?

[Pat A]

Hi
Hope this doesn't seem like a silly question!

I'm going to Moorfields to collect my first set of RGP's next week. I'm picking up from other comments on the forum that I may need to ask various questions and not just settle for what they give me if they don't seem right. Can anyone offer any practical advice please?

The problem is that when I went last time it was my first ever visit, I got my diagnosis of KC which I didn't really understand (until I looked it up on the Internet when I got home.) And then I was rushed into the Contact lens clinic and hadn't really got a clue what was going on - I guess I was a bit shell-shocked with it all. I've got a horrid feeling that the lenses are going to be too strong - particularly in my cataract operated eye - and I'm going to end up with that "swimmy headed " feeling that I sometimes get now when I wear my soft lenses. Any help/advice gratefully received.

Pat

[jayuk]

Pat

I am assuming you will be seen as well? What I mean is that they will ask you to put the lenses in and check to ensure there ok?

If so, then thats the time to ask questions that you may have.

Its hard commenting on comfort etc..as virtually ALL new lenses will need a break in period anything from 1-4 weeks......whereby you increase the wearing time per day.....

As its your first time collecting, Id def ensure that you get seen in the clinic and that its not just a "pick up"

J

[Andrew MacLean]

Pat

The key with new RGP's is that you do not launch straight in to wearing them 10 hours a day!

If they do not tell you, you should ask how you build up your wear time. Perhaps one hour the first day, two the second, three the third and so on.

Another question you might ask is whether you ought to have a day off wearing them each week. Years ago this was a standard provision, but with modern and better contact lens materials, it may no longer be advised.

Anyway: all the best with your lenses. When I started wearing them, they made such a difference!

Andrew

[GarethB]

Ensure they go through how to put the lenses in and out and watch you do it.

Nothing worse than getting home and finding you either can not get them in or take them out.

Ask about cleaning and lens care so you get as much free solutions as possible.

They will check the fit before you leave with them so be very desriptive on what you can see and how they feel.

As Jay says the latter will be hard as you need to build up time, but say up front and make a note yourself. Then as you build up the wear time keep a diary of how they feel. Then if you have an off day, you hopefully have a good day you can read back on and this can help boost your confidence levels. Build by an hour each day to an initial max of 8 hours or as the optom recomends. If you find hard to build up at this rate which some do, take a step back and buld up a bit more gently instead.

The lens fit first time round sometimes is not always perfect but it is still possible to acclimatise so when you get a replacement set you are straight at a decent level of lens wear.

If they have in written information you can take away with you, ask for it.

I will probably think of more stuff later on.

[Sweet]

Hey there! The replies you already have are very useful!!

I would also say that the vision is not always good first time around and the optom is looking more at the fitting than this. You need to build up wearing time before you get the best from your lens.

If the fitting is ok then the strength can be adjusted at any time. The fitting is more important i think, as in if it is comfortable and not rubbing etc.

Best of luck with it!! Let us know how you get on!!

Sweet X x X

[Michael P]

Pat, don't worry if the lenses need to be changed within the first year because it will be done free of charge

[Pat A]

Thanks Guys and Gals for all your helpful replies.
I think they have booked me in for some kind of "teach-in" session 'cos I made it clear to them last time that I had never worn rigid lenses before, only soft ones. The guy I saw did say something like "well we'll have to get you to forget all that 'cos rigid ones are different"

I'll certainly let you know how I get on!

Thanks again.

Pat

[Mandy]

Hi Pat
I know exactly how you feel, being a newcomer to KC myself.

I'm also a patient at Morefields and I'm also going next week for my RGP check up....when are you going? I may see you there.

The main advice I can give you is to be calm. I was really anxious when I got my RGP's as I was so use to soft lenses and I was actually scared about how to take out the lenses and whether they would hurt!

I've now been wearing RGP's for 5 months and yes they are not like soft lenses but you do get use to them really quickly and the vision I got from them was amazing. In fact, I had headaches for the first few weeks as my brain was trying to adjust to actually seeing sharp images.

I would suggest that before your appointment, you should write down a list of all the questions that you might want to ask. I found this realy helpful as my mind normally goes blank! I think the optician was amused by my long list which had questions ranging from how to clean the lenses, what solutions to buy, wearing times to what drops to use to stop my eyes from becoming dry.

You just have to think to yourself how great it will be when you get the RGP's and you can see well again!

[Mandy]

i've just noticed that my "status" has just changed from newbie to contributor! That must mean that I now have knowledge and advice to pass on!

Sorry....I'm being silly now

[Sweet]

RGP lenses are not so bad and most find them ok. I never started with wearing soft lenses and only tried them when i started piggy backing with them at the end of last year!

Best of luck with everything ... Sweet X x X