17 year old with Karakotonus

[jason]

10 years or so ago I was short sighted and had laser treatment to correct the condition. Since then I have had no vision problems whatsoever and thrown away contact lenses and glasses. My 17 year old son has keratoconus so the solution is not, I understand, quite as simple. I have read a lot on the subject but am not clear whether the cross linking procedure is a procedure designes to IMPROVE vision rather than stabilising the condition ie. hope that it doesn't get any worse.
He's a good rugby player and has started wearing a soft lens in his worst eye but keeps losing it in contact. The lenses are free because of his age but it's a bit embarrassing to keep asking for a replacement lens.
I'm trying to determine if considering cross linking is worthwhile or not. Would he be able to see a lot better after this procedure ? Also, has anyone had a similar problem of losing lenses and had to wait a couple of weeks for a replacement every time ? Is it acceptable to ask for a spare lens or is that not the done thing when they are free.
Any comments/guidance would be appreciated.

[Anne Klepacz]

Hello Jason and welcome!
The idea of crosslinking is to stabilise the condition. Occasionally people do seem to get an improvement in vision as well, but that is by no means guaranteed. As I understand it, the majority will still need contact lenses afterwards.
Yes, we do all lose our lenses, and yes, we do have to wait several weeks for a replacement!
Asking for a spare is a very good idea. You might have to pay for the spare rather than get it free, but it sounds as though it would still be worth doing.
Anne

[GarethB]

Jason, elcome to the forum.

I used to play rugby at 17 while wearing contact lenses and we'd stop play to find it. Quiet a few occasions I wiped the lens on my shirt, spat on it and put it back. Not to be recomended but I was an invincible 17 year old at the time

Try sport goggles, they are very much like my safety glasses at work and sit snuggly on the face. The company I got mine from no longer exist but I have a pair for squash. There is no vision correction, but if a lens pops out it is captured in the goggles so we just pause the game and put the lens in. Your son might be able to do the same in Rugby. The ones designed for squash are impact resistant too as a squash ball is just right to fit the eye socket and do a lot of damage just like an elbow from getting in a ruck, scrum or line out.

Try this web site - http://www.rxsport.co.uk/RX/Pages/Home.aspx

Let us know how you get on.

Gareth

[Andrew MacLean]

Hello Jason, and welcome.

I know that the questions just keep coming when there is news of an eye condition, and the immediate response is to seek out permanent remedies. Many people gravitate towards CXL, even although it is clear that for most people with keratoconus their condition will not develop beyond the point where glasses or contact lenses are sufficient to give good vision.

CXL does not seem to be offered as a way of correcting vision.

If your son does decide to go this route, then he needs to be sure that he understands both the benefits and the potential risks of treatment. There is a lot of information on this site, and in different places on the www.

All the best.

Andrew

[Lynn White]

Hi Jason

I am trying to get a forum going where people can exchange information about CXL and create a website with information about it. Its hard work getting something new going as its like getting to a party early! However, there is quite a bit of information there and there are people who have had cross linking whom you can ask about the experience.

Have a browse and feel free to then ask questions either here or there!

www.cxlclub.lwvc.co.uk


Lynn