Dear Helen
I apologise for not checking the discussion page recently. I have tried piggy-backing in my R eye, after wearing scleral lenses successfully for 4 years I then started to get increasing pain in my R eye only. Piggy-backing helped keep the lens tolerable for 4-5 hours but was very cumbersome and in the end not the solution for me. However Sue Ingram has been wearing them successfully,she "mixes and matches" several different lenses and combinations. It would be a good idea to talk to her. She would normally have replied to such a plea by now, but she is in Florida,I think she flies home this coming weekend.
As for options if this doesn't work for you. It may be possible for you to wear another lens with different plastic properties, or like me a mini scleral. The only catch is that these are new and the full eye shape range has not yet been made.
Obviously you need to speak to your optomatrist about the best option for you. Good luck,please let us know how you
Quicktopic posts: Jan 2002
Moderators: Anne Klepacz, John Smith, Sweet
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Andrew Walker
Thanks for the information, I appreciate the help.
For information, what is a scleral and a piggy back?
I had my eye checked out yesterday by a man in Reading who actually fits quite a few KC's (Duncan something). So far, I seem to be luckier than most: my R eye is the KC one, and it's been on the same prescription for 8 years now and still fits fine.
The problem seemed to be in the L eye, which must have just got scratched badly. I'm being referred to Reading Hospital, so I'll see how they do shortly.
Thanks again.
For information, what is a scleral and a piggy back?
I had my eye checked out yesterday by a man in Reading who actually fits quite a few KC's (Duncan something). So far, I seem to be luckier than most: my R eye is the KC one, and it's been on the same prescription for 8 years now and still fits fine.
The problem seemed to be in the L eye, which must have just got scratched badly. I'm being referred to Reading Hospital, so I'll see how they do shortly.
Thanks again.
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Tony Stigle
Piggybacking
Method of wearing contact lenses where a soft lens is worn underneath an RGP..
As per the description on the Glossary page...
More info for the Glossary page welcome.....!
Just a reminder... You should always view this discussion page by going via the groups web site.
http://www.keratoconus-group.org.uk
Tony Stigle... web person
Method of wearing contact lenses where a soft lens is worn underneath an RGP..
As per the description on the Glossary page...
More info for the Glossary page welcome.....!
Just a reminder... You should always view this discussion page by going via the groups web site.
http://www.keratoconus-group.org.uk
Tony Stigle... web person
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Catherine (Peterborough)
To Andrew Walker
I hope you got the message I left on your mobile - was in the Caribbean (lucky me) when you called, but back at work now (unlucky me!).
I agree with Amanda - Moorfields is the place to be, especially if you're that close to London. I was referred by my GP to the local eye specialist who then referred me to Prof Buckley. My KC isn't as severe as many but it's still well worth the trip every few months and I feel very confident that I'm going to be looked after properly there. Good luck.
I hope you got the message I left on your mobile - was in the Caribbean (lucky me) when you called, but back at work now (unlucky me!).
I agree with Amanda - Moorfields is the place to be, especially if you're that close to London. I was referred by my GP to the local eye specialist who then referred me to Prof Buckley. My KC isn't as severe as many but it's still well worth the trip every few months and I feel very confident that I'm going to be looked after properly there. Good luck.
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Robert Smith
Dear all
It is a week now since I had a graft in my left eye and am doing very well indeed.
Coming out of the anasthetic was the worst part and I would not like that too often - very painful and dis-orientating. It was pretty awful for the 24 hours after the operation but the nurses could not have been more helpful and it slowly settled down.
I spent the weekend in bed and it just continued to improve. The worst part was at night when I seemed to continually irritate it and in the morning my eye was sore. I had a fright one morning when I jabbed myself in the eye with a finger as I was waking up - not pleasant.
Went back to the clinic on Wednesday to be told that all is well so far and surprised myself by readng the top three lines of the chart - before the operation I couldn't see any letters at all - just the light! Am due to go back next Wednesday.
The drops every two hours are beginning, now, to be a bit of a chore but they don't take long - it is more a case that the two hours seem to go by in a flash!
Very little discomfort now - just a slight irritation if I think about it and even blinking is almost back to normal. However the whole area of my eye is very sensitive and I am very careful of the whole top half of my face!
Thanks for all the good wishes.
I hope that John is progressing OK.
Robert
PS Incidentally there was a second graft done last week for a fellow KC sufferer and he too is fine.
It is a week now since I had a graft in my left eye and am doing very well indeed.
Coming out of the anasthetic was the worst part and I would not like that too often - very painful and dis-orientating. It was pretty awful for the 24 hours after the operation but the nurses could not have been more helpful and it slowly settled down.
I spent the weekend in bed and it just continued to improve. The worst part was at night when I seemed to continually irritate it and in the morning my eye was sore. I had a fright one morning when I jabbed myself in the eye with a finger as I was waking up - not pleasant.
Went back to the clinic on Wednesday to be told that all is well so far and surprised myself by readng the top three lines of the chart - before the operation I couldn't see any letters at all - just the light! Am due to go back next Wednesday.
The drops every two hours are beginning, now, to be a bit of a chore but they don't take long - it is more a case that the two hours seem to go by in a flash!
Very little discomfort now - just a slight irritation if I think about it and even blinking is almost back to normal. However the whole area of my eye is very sensitive and I am very careful of the whole top half of my face!
Thanks for all the good wishes.
I hope that John is progressing OK.
Robert
PS Incidentally there was a second graft done last week for a fellow KC sufferer and he too is fine.
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Janet Manning
Hi Robert,
Glad to hear you're doing so well.
A tip that might help with the risk of poking your eye. After my grafts I was given a rigid plastic eye shield and advised to tape it over my eye with micropore at night for the first 2 weeks. I actually did this for a month each time as I felt safer. I also used it while getting dressed and showered - other risky times.
I'm sure you could get one of these eye shields from a chemist. They are bigger than the usual little eye patches with elastic.
When you first go out, try sunglasses and/or a hat with a peak even if the sun isn't shining!!! Since my grafts I've become a regular hat person and now have a large collection!
I hope you are also doing well, John.
Best wishes Janet
Glad to hear you're doing so well.
A tip that might help with the risk of poking your eye. After my grafts I was given a rigid plastic eye shield and advised to tape it over my eye with micropore at night for the first 2 weeks. I actually did this for a month each time as I felt safer. I also used it while getting dressed and showered - other risky times.
I'm sure you could get one of these eye shields from a chemist. They are bigger than the usual little eye patches with elastic.
When you first go out, try sunglasses and/or a hat with a peak even if the sun isn't shining!!! Since my grafts I've become a regular hat person and now have a large collection!
I hope you are also doing well, John.
Best wishes Janet
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Amanda Stigle
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John Smith
Well, I'm back! Thanks everyone for your good wishes.
I can certainly agree about the plastic shield. It really takes the weight off your mind... and the fingers our of your eye. I've poked myself in the eye once so far, and that REALLY scared me. When I do go back to work, I'm thinking of wearing the shield whilst commuting. Who knows, I may even get a seat for a change!
It sounds like my experience was slightly better than Robert's; though there are certainly similarities.
My op was late in the day (6:30pm) so I was coming round as everyone else was going to sleep... so I had a lot of nursing attention. I was a bit scared that when I came round, I became aware of an oxygen mask strapped to my face and an automatic machine continually measuring my heart rate, blood oxygen and every now and then self-inflating the blood pressure cuff. Most alarming.
The eye didn't really hurt though. It just felt like I had an RGP contact lens in it that had been there slightly too long. I only had a single dose of painkillers for the entire thing, and that was mainly because the nurses were suggesting I should have some sooner rather than have fierce pain later. But the real pain never came.
The following afternoon, the consultant removed the patch, and like Robert, I was amazed that I could see three lines on the chart immediately where I could see literally nothing before. At the first week's inspection I didn't do so well, only seeing the top line. I understand though that the drops' side-effect is blurred vision! Things should improve over time, and once the drops become less frequent.
Robert, you may find this useful: a friend has written some s/w that I leave running all day. It makes the PC blow a loud whistle when it's time for my next drop. It colours the screen to tell me which one to put in and will remind me of a drop I may have missed. Let me know if you'd like a copy... john@ roundel.net.
I certainly feel like an automaton putting the dexamethasone drops in every hour (and the antibiotic 4 times a day), but going down to every 2 hours has really helped (and I've been promised every 3 hours from the 3-week mark)
John
I can certainly agree about the plastic shield. It really takes the weight off your mind... and the fingers our of your eye. I've poked myself in the eye once so far, and that REALLY scared me. When I do go back to work, I'm thinking of wearing the shield whilst commuting. Who knows, I may even get a seat for a change!
It sounds like my experience was slightly better than Robert's; though there are certainly similarities.
My op was late in the day (6:30pm) so I was coming round as everyone else was going to sleep... so I had a lot of nursing attention. I was a bit scared that when I came round, I became aware of an oxygen mask strapped to my face and an automatic machine continually measuring my heart rate, blood oxygen and every now and then self-inflating the blood pressure cuff. Most alarming.
The eye didn't really hurt though. It just felt like I had an RGP contact lens in it that had been there slightly too long. I only had a single dose of painkillers for the entire thing, and that was mainly because the nurses were suggesting I should have some sooner rather than have fierce pain later. But the real pain never came.
The following afternoon, the consultant removed the patch, and like Robert, I was amazed that I could see three lines on the chart immediately where I could see literally nothing before. At the first week's inspection I didn't do so well, only seeing the top line. I understand though that the drops' side-effect is blurred vision! Things should improve over time, and once the drops become less frequent.
Robert, you may find this useful: a friend has written some s/w that I leave running all day. It makes the PC blow a loud whistle when it's time for my next drop. It colours the screen to tell me which one to put in and will remind me of a drop I may have missed. Let me know if you'd like a copy... john@ roundel.net.
I certainly feel like an automaton putting the dexamethasone drops in every hour (and the antibiotic 4 times a day), but going down to every 2 hours has really helped (and I've been promised every 3 hours from the 3-week mark)
John
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Robert Smith
Dear All
I tried to respond yesterday but my message seems to have got stuck somewhere.
Thanks for the advice about the eye shield - I got one last week and it has relieved all the night-time problems. My eye has now calmed down and is now just a bit itchy rather than painful in any way. Even the severe bloodshotness has gone down a lot. Sight is pretty good though still blurred.
Glad to hear that John is OK - I seem to cope very well with remembering the times for drops so I will forego your offer of the software - thanks for the offer though. Am off to the clinic tomorrow for my second check up.
Robert
I tried to respond yesterday but my message seems to have got stuck somewhere.
Thanks for the advice about the eye shield - I got one last week and it has relieved all the night-time problems. My eye has now calmed down and is now just a bit itchy rather than painful in any way. Even the severe bloodshotness has gone down a lot. Sight is pretty good though still blurred.
Glad to hear that John is OK - I seem to cope very well with remembering the times for drops so I will forego your offer of the software - thanks for the offer though. Am off to the clinic tomorrow for my second check up.
Robert
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