Lenses not working

[pedro]

Hi

Just joined the group today and pleased to see it the level of support that is available.

Went for a routine eye test and was told that i could have KC in left eye but went to clinic only to be told it was in both eyes. Waited a month for follow up appointment where hard contacts were giving but sight did not improve one bit. The doctor told me that 95% of people notice an improvement in vision when contacts were giving but i was in the 5% that did not see any difference. Asked about specs and he responded that i "wouldn't thank him for glasses????????". Have a follow up appointment in January but i feel doctor wasn't too concerned. Have one bad eye (left) and one good eye which is quite common i think. My bad eye is just a total blur. Just looking for some advice either to go with doctors opinion or go back and try for another solution.

Thanks
Glenn

[Andrew MacLean]

Glenn

Welcome to the forum! I have split your post from the topic where you placed it, because I think that your question deserves a string of its own!

It is probably right that ordinary glasses would not give you the quality of sight that you seek, although I am a bit surprised that your optometrist gave up so soon on trying to get you good vision with contact lenses. There are a great many different lens styles and lens materials, and simply to palm you off with a bland acknowledgement that the first attempt did not give you any improvement seems unacceptable.

I'd go back and ask if there are any different lenses you could try. Be prepared to suggest some, like: Sclerals, Hybrids, Piggy back or kerasoft 3. If your fitter is not prepared to suggest you try any of these, ask why not (it may be that there is something to do with your eye that might make any of these inappropriate, but I cannot think that there would be anything that would make ALL of them inappropriate).

Every good wish.

Andrew

[Lynn White]

Glenn


Can you tell us more about yourself. Where are you living and did you see a doctor in a hospital or is he an optometrist. We can give better advice if we know more!

Lynn

[pedro]

Hi Lynn,..

I'm a 33 year old from Scotland. My appointment was with a doctor at my local hospital. He gave myself just the one contact lens for my left eye and i had to wait around 30mins for it to adjust my sight but as i said my vision was exactly the same. Also when i go back to the hospital, should i ask to see the same doctor or see someone else for a second opinion.

Thanks for your help
Glenn

[rosemary johnson]

Hallo Glenn - welcome tot he forum ; glad you found us.
Your experience sounds a bit odd - often, it is a doctor - a medic, called an ophthalmologist - who examines your eyes and diagnoses the KC.
THenits normally a contact lens specialist who fits the lenses - not normally the same doctor.
In fact, the optometrists - the people who fit contact lenses - aren't generally doctors at all; they are trained in contact lens fitting rather than medecine.
Maybe if you were at a fairly small hospital, there is only the one person who knows aout KC?
There certainly are lots of different types of contact lenses, and some work for some of us and not for others. It's also possible that changing the fit of a lens will change the vision.
It certainly sounds to me as if asking to try different types would be a good idea. ANd, as someone else said, asking why not if they don't agree.
Be warned, though, that finding people specialised in fitting lots of different types of lenses to people with KC can be a bit difficult in some areas - you may have to travel to get to a specialist expert, particulalry if you are in a rural area.
Good luck, and do keep us posted.
Rosemary

[Andrew MacLean]

Glenn,

I am deeply perplexed by this; I live in Scotland also and am amazed at the poor way in which you have been dealt with. In your place I'd certainly ask for a second opinion, or even a referral to a larger unit. I know that the major cities have very good services for people with keratoconus, as do smaller places like Ayr.

I understand that the eye department at RAH in Paisley is also very good.

In your place, I'd certainly ask for a referral to another hospital; it is your right.

All the best

Andrew

[Lynn White]

Hi Glenn

Where in Scotland?

Lynn

[pedro]

Hi Lynn

I live in Central Scotland and attend Stirling Royal Infimary.

Also many thanks to yourself, Andrew and Rosemary for your helpful advice.

Glenn

[Andrew MacLean]

In your place, I'd ask for a referral to the Tennant Institute of Ophthalmogy. You can easily get to Glasgow from St
your part of Scotland.

All the best.

Andrew

[Lynn White]

I knew Andrew would sort you...

I do think you need a second opinion Glenn. It is not acceptable to be told you have to simply have to get on with it.There ARE other alternatives and just because they may not be available in your location does not mean you can;t be directed to where you CAN get alternatives..

Let us know how you get on

Lynn