Keratoconus friendly opticians

[Wildeye]

My first posting here, although I have been reading this forum on and off over the years.

I have been wearing SoClear mini screrals for a number of years and hybrids before they were withdrawn.

My first practitioner retired but I found an excellent alternative by talking to the manufacturer/supplier of the lens of other opticians they supplied to.

Sadly, this person too took an early retirement and sold his practice. Initially things were good but lately things are starting to slip. I won’t go into the details but sufficient to say it’s time for a change.

I approached the same lens supplier but this time they were not helpful insisting on a specific postcode rather than giving me a list of practitioners in london area. Strangely they pointed me in direction of national chains (the ones with green signage). I am not sure about these places as I suspect there is no continuity of the person examining you.

I know there is a list of kerataconus friendly opticians on this site but also know it’s not comprehensive, as the one I go to is not there.

Any pointers from posters here about opticians in south/southwest/west london or for that matter anywhere in london. I fully accept it’s not a recommendation.

[Anne Klepacz]

Hi Woildeye and welcome,
I think the main reason you haven't had a reply is because most of us get our contact lenses through a hospital eye clinic where the optometrists with an interest in fitting KC and other interesting eyes are concentrated. That also has the advantage of lenses at the NHS rate of around £55 per lens (whatever the lens type) rather than the commercial cost. The disadvantage is much longer waiting times to be seen and between appointments.
The list of optoms on this site isn't comprehensive and is also getting out of date. Generally the ones who are interested in KC do tend to be in independent practices rather than chains, though when I went to a chain for some back up glasses some years ago, the optometrist I saw had done her dissertation on KC! So it can be pot luck.
Also, sadly, although a lot of people look at this forum, these days only a handful ever reply to posts. In the past, there used to be lively conversations with lots of people joining in. If anyone has ideas on how to get people talking to each other again, I'd love to hear them.

[RedOnion]

Likewise, it would be good to see some more conversation here! Sadly I’m not sure of how to generate that.

[Green]

I can recommend Taylor-West & Co, Sophie is excellent, branches in Sussex, Battersea, Dulwich.
It's private. I came to know because I sought extra help outside of hospital optometry when I was struggling with lens management. So there's the option of doing that. Obviously buying lenses would be more expensive.

https://taylorwestandco.uk/contact-us/

[Anne Klepacz]

Many thanks, Green. I knew Sophie had moved to Hove (she used to be part of a Harley St practice) but had no idea she now had all these branches. Many years ago I acted as a guinea pig when she was demonstrating fitting mini scleral lenses at a workshop so her interest and dedication to KC goes back a long way. Definitely second this recommendation.

[Anne Klepacz]

Just to clarify. I've now checked with Sophie (apologies, should have done that before) and it's still only the Hove branch that specialises in fitting KC eyes with all types of lenses. Additional contact details are -
Tel: 01273 567475
Email: info@sclerallenscentre.co.uk
Website www.sclerallenscentre.co.uk

[Wildeye]

Thank you all for your comments. I will certainly check these links out and make my move in the new year or maybe even sooner as the financial stability of my current practitioner is in some doubt !

I started off with the NHS but they were having little success especially with comfort as they kept trying to fit standard RGP. This was over 30years ago so things will have moved on. One day an individual in the hospital told me of the advances in lens technology and they were pretty sure my eyes would tolerate them but they were not on NHS’s radar at the time.

I have gone private since although I did go to moorfields at some point and tried a full sclerals which were nowhere as comfortable as hybrids.

In the meanwhile, I have done some digging on my own and found one in Finchley, Esher, Cheam as well one in west london. I have also found two chains in SW london that offer KC lens. These being franchises, the services offered varies from branch to branch although I am told any branch will direct you to one that offers the specialism you need. As I said before, I am wary of chains as there is little continuity between visits as many optometrists are locums.

Most seem to specialise in one or two designs of KC lens and while happy to see you expect you to switch to a range they offer. But I have narrowed it down to one where I can continue with what I wear now.