KC and careers

[BurnTheAction]

so im 23 and getting increasingly irritated and concerned with my KC.

Was diagnosed when 19, started on rgps which were fine,were comfortable and could wear for long periods.

Then moved onto piggybacking once rgps began to hurt and scar eyes, tried synergeyes, they did not work at all, a v painful month that was, now back on rgps with piggybacks but not getting clear vision nor that comfortable wear anymore.

I intend to become a lawyer, but just can't see how i can manage with KC. i currently temp 9-5 at county council offices, and only just manage a full days wear, albeit it with frequent headaches and eye discomfort.

as a young guy the fact i often have to spend evenings with no lenses in and no vision gets quite depressing i tell you!!

now friends who have got into law say there working day can be anything from 8-6 to 8-8 and beyond!! there's no chance i can can sustain lenswear concentrating like that for week upon week.

my hospital doesn't seem unduly concerned with this work issue, even when i press the point, they just modify my lenses(rarely effective), send me off, and i have to wait 6months till i can see them again to complain.

how do you manage long hours with KC?

[Andrew MacLean]

I take my lens out for little breaks through the day: that way I am able to extend my wear time from around 6 to eight hours, to an aggregated ten to twelve hours.

Not sure this is officially recommended: ask at your hospital clinic.

All the best

Andrew

[Loopy-Lou]

I'm not advocating rushing into surgery, but has anyone spoken to you about surgical options [crosslinking/grafting]? Have you considered requesting an appt to be reviewed by the ophthalmologist?
I do appreciate what you're saying about how depressing it is being without a lens for half the day

[BurnTheAction]

i too use a bit of the lens in and out method, gives you that extra bit of comfort during the day!

as to grafts/crosslinking, i have done a lot of self research and presented it to the people i see at hospital, but as it is nhs they seem to have an excuse for everything that i suggest!
i have been told i will probably eventually need a graft in my right eye...the only thing is its the left thats the problem atm!!

i am thinking of seeing a specialist at east grinstead hospital that i have heard about? it will cost money, but if its worth it then its priceless i feel

[Andrew MacLean]

Another tip for extending lens wear time is to have only one in at a time: I used this to give me extra time before I needed a graft.

Put one lens in at breakfast, take it out and put in the other after lunch ... and so through the day.

Don't rite off the NHS too quickly; you are entitled to a second opinion so if your present clinic is being too dismissive about your research, ask for a referral within the NHS to another hospital or to another specialist at your present hospital.

All the best

Andrew

[rosemary johnson]

Have you investigated access technology options?
-for example: talking computer systems, that will read out the screen to you, so you do not have to peer at the screen so much or so closely.
Or adjusting the screen colours and magnification to something more comofrtable.
It maybe you wouldn't need these all the time, but having the option there to switch on as required could help by giving you the ability to go on working while you have a break from the lens(es).
Similarly, there are scanners and CCTV magnifiers, to enable you to put a book or papers in at the bottom, and get an enlarged version, maybbe in a more comfortable colour scheme, on a screen above.
There are also whole ranges of magnifying devices, from those looking a bit like a perspex hadgehog (!) to an engraved plastic credit card.
If there is a branch of the RNIB anywhere near you, or of Action for Blind People, they should be able to give a demo of a range of kit, and also arrange an assessment and advice on Access to Work funding.
You don't have to be totally blind to ask for help from such organisations - just in need of assistance.
Good luck.
I remember the frustration.
I'm afraid I just got used to it.
Most of the time........
No, one never totally gets used to it; just puts it away in the cupboard and struggles on most of the time.
Hang int here and best wishes.
Rosemary

[GarethB]

Before changing from RGP's to the Kerasoft 3's I used to alternate betweenw hich eye I could see out of. This meant although 6 housr was easily achieveable and the rest were uncomfortable, by getting six hours from each eye in turn I could 12 hours in the day.

The optoms who told me softs would not work now admit theyw ere wrong as I now wear the lenses in each eye and get full comfortable vision all my waking hours.

Perhaps this is another route to explore.

[melissa]

please try not to let it get you down... we all know the struggle, and i agree with rosemary- i think we just get used to it, but don't let it totally change your career path... there are many options out there.
i have piggybacks in left eye (which was also always my worse eye in terms of vision). i have had a graft on the right and wear glasses to assist both eyes. i work a 10hour day and wear my lenses typically 16 hours a day...
for comfort: eye drops... regular rinsing of lenses... flaxseed oil tablets... humidity (never a problem where i live, but if i lived in a dry climate i would buy one of those machines).
at night or social environments i often used to use the 'one-eye' thing... but i did find that my other eye used to droop... so i tend to avoid it now- makes you look drunker than you actually are!