Hi there,
I have a problem with my left eye which has developed a strong keratoconus.
I have used rigid gas-permeable lens for more than ten years ( I am 42 years old now) but unfortunately I found out that I have developed a scar on the eye surface (it’s called cornea I think) as a result of an edema caused by my gas-permeable lens.
Fortunately I still have a very good vision with this eye but I can no more wear a gas-permeable lens because this type of lens will injury the eye once more.
Thus, my doctor in Greece claims that the only solution I have (except transplantation of course) is to wear a rigid gas-permeable lens on top of a soft lens. I think this method is called “piggybackâ€Â
Piggyback flexlens (or something like it) in London
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Ioannis Kouraklis
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Andrew MacLean
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- Keratoconus: Yes, I have KC
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Ioannis
I can't tell you about good opticians in London, but I am sure that others will.
Piggy backing is one option where RGP corneal lenses are no longer a viable option. There are, of course other options from soft lenses designed specifically for KC sufferers, all the way to large lenses that sit out from the cornea, resting on the "sclera" of the eye. these are sometimes called haptic lenses, and sometimes scleral lenses.
The only way to find out which sort of lens is best suited to your particular needs is to go to an optometrist who is experienced in fitting KC eyes and have an examination. then it may come town to trial and error!
Well done on finding us, and welcome to the forum.
Every good wish
Andrew
I can't tell you about good opticians in London, but I am sure that others will.
Piggy backing is one option where RGP corneal lenses are no longer a viable option. There are, of course other options from soft lenses designed specifically for KC sufferers, all the way to large lenses that sit out from the cornea, resting on the "sclera" of the eye. these are sometimes called haptic lenses, and sometimes scleral lenses.
The only way to find out which sort of lens is best suited to your particular needs is to go to an optometrist who is experienced in fitting KC eyes and have an examination. then it may come town to trial and error!
Well done on finding us, and welcome to the forum.
Every good wish
Andrew
Andrew MacLean
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Christine Wright
- Optometrist
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- Joined: Thu 18 Mar 2004 8:59 pm
Hi there - good to hear from Greece!
I think the lens you are talking about is the Flex edge lens which is available from Jack Allen - a small company which does specialist contact lens work. (To get his address, just put 'Jack Allen contact lenses' into Google.)The lens has a rigid centre and a soft surround, so it should combine good vision with better comfort than standard GP lenses. Some people will know the Soft perm lens, which is the same idea but isn't available in the steep curvatures that people with keratoconus need. The Flex edge lens is supplied as a 'button' which Jack Allen and co can cut to shape, so we can fit a much wider range of eyes.
I've supplied 3 people with them so far and the initial impression is good. There are also 2 more waiting to collect their lenses in the next couple of weeks. I'll keep you posted about how we get on.
However, if you are trying to avoid contact between the gas permeable lens and your cornea, this lens would be of no advantage. The Piggy back option might be better - or a scleral lens which vaults over the whole cornea so that there is a pool of saline between your cornea and the lens (depending how steep your eye is).
As everyone on this Forum will tell you, these things are done by trial and error, so it would be quite hard for an Optom in London follow you up. It would be best really if you could stick with your Doctor in Greece (I don't think you have Optometrists do you?). If he/she wanted to get advice, all the contact lens manufacturers are very helpful if you speak to them on the phone.
Good luck!
I think the lens you are talking about is the Flex edge lens which is available from Jack Allen - a small company which does specialist contact lens work. (To get his address, just put 'Jack Allen contact lenses' into Google.)The lens has a rigid centre and a soft surround, so it should combine good vision with better comfort than standard GP lenses. Some people will know the Soft perm lens, which is the same idea but isn't available in the steep curvatures that people with keratoconus need. The Flex edge lens is supplied as a 'button' which Jack Allen and co can cut to shape, so we can fit a much wider range of eyes.
I've supplied 3 people with them so far and the initial impression is good. There are also 2 more waiting to collect their lenses in the next couple of weeks. I'll keep you posted about how we get on.
However, if you are trying to avoid contact between the gas permeable lens and your cornea, this lens would be of no advantage. The Piggy back option might be better - or a scleral lens which vaults over the whole cornea so that there is a pool of saline between your cornea and the lens (depending how steep your eye is).
As everyone on this Forum will tell you, these things are done by trial and error, so it would be quite hard for an Optom in London follow you up. It would be best really if you could stick with your Doctor in Greece (I don't think you have Optometrists do you?). If he/she wanted to get advice, all the contact lens manufacturers are very helpful if you speak to them on the phone.
Good luck!
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Andrew MacLean
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jayuk
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Mike
As far as I know, I didnt think this was possible......however Private Procedures and Operations are performed there!
What you may be able to have done is a lens fitting in one of the contultants Private Practices nearby Moorefields...as I did remember seeing them fully kitted with all the regular Opt gadgets....
Jay
(And I just realised after posting that Gareth said the same thing!....so wasnt meant to repeat for hell of it
)
As far as I know, I didnt think this was possible......however Private Procedures and Operations are performed there!
What you may be able to have done is a lens fitting in one of the contultants Private Practices nearby Moorefields...as I did remember seeing them fully kitted with all the regular Opt gadgets....
Jay
(And I just realised after posting that Gareth said the same thing!....so wasnt meant to repeat for hell of it
)KC is about facing the challenges it creates rather than accepting the problems it generates -
(C) Copyright 2005 KP
(C) Copyright 2005 KP
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Ioannis Kouraklis
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Well, thank you all!
A doctor in Greece (a real good one) advised me just now to visit Moorefields. She said that this is the best place in order to do everything I need.
She advised me to arrange an appointment now.
Unfortunately I do not know the way to come in contact with doctors there. Not even if I can do it as a private or not...
I would be grateful if you could advise me about.
A doctor in Greece (a real good one) advised me just now to visit Moorefields. She said that this is the best place in order to do everything I need.
She advised me to arrange an appointment now.
Unfortunately I do not know the way to come in contact with doctors there. Not even if I can do it as a private or not...
I would be grateful if you could advise me about.
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Andrew MacLean
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- Joined: Thu 15 Jan 2004 8:01 pm
- Keratoconus: Yes, I have KC
- Vision: Other
- Location: Scotland
I think the information you need is at this site
http://www.moorfields.org.uk/PrivatePatients
Andrew
http://www.moorfields.org.uk/PrivatePatients
Andrew
Andrew MacLean
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