Glasses and contact lenses

[simonj]

I'm 40 years old and have been suffering from KC since the age of 23. I had KC confirmed by a hospital consultant and have had regular check-ups by the hospital for the condition until about 8 years ago when I was discharged, due to the condition stabilising and not worsening. KC is worse in one eye than the other which is mild.

I wear hard contact lenses, however I find that they can rub my eyes and are sometimes uncomfortable if I wear them all day. To overcome this I been wearing glasses in the evening, which I had prescribed many years ago when I was first diagnosed with KC.

My glasses got broken a few days ago and I would like to have a replacement pair to wear when my eyes are tired from wearing contacts or as a standby.

I realise that medically speaking glasses do not correct vision affected by KC but I have found that my vision is the same with glasses as it is with contacts.

Does anyone else here with KC wear glasses and contact lenses? And should I ask my optometrist at the hospital that I wish to have glasses for occasional use or are they very likely to advise that I only wear contact lenses?

Please would you help.

[Anne Klepacz]

Hello simonj and welcome to the forum,
Glasses can correct the vision if KC is mild, and if you're getting as good vision with glasses as you are with contacts that's brilliant. In fact, if there really is no difference, then you could think about switching to glasses permanently.
And for those who can get some vision with glasses, even if it isn't as good as contact lens vision, then having a 'back up' pair is a great idea. Wearing lenses for too many hours a day isn't that good for the cornea, so being able to take a break in the evening is a good idea.
Hope that helps.
Anne

[simonj]

Hello Anne,

Thanks very much for your reply. That has helped put my mind at rest. I find that the glasses work OK and it would be handy to have a pair as I find that wearing the contacts is particularly tiring on my eyes if I wear them alot.

Simon

[Andrew MacLean]

Simon

I try to break my day time wear of contact lenses at two points: an hour at lunch and an hour or so again in the early evening. This makes it possible for me to extend my contact lens wear from early morning until late evening without actually wearing them for more than four hours at a stretch.

Andrew

[simonj]

Thanks, Andrew. I will think about doing that. As I'm self employed and work from home at the moment I would be able to do this without any problems.