RGP Lens Correction

[Vigilante]

Hey all,

So far I have been letting a guy from Vision Express help me out since he is the only one who has given me an explanation for what I can see or even found something wrong. I have seen specialists at my local hospital who found nothing wrong before but Im requesting to see Mr Peter Pawson who specialises in KC as well.

I also went and saw a GP at my medical cemtre who works at the local eye unit who this time admintted she could see something wrong with my cornea but mild?....sounded like she was jumping onto the bandwagon.

Today I tried an RGP lens at Vision Express, the prescription was way off unfortunately so it was hard to see if this would help me out at all, but after adding the prescription strength testing stuff on top I did seem more able to read the eye chart although the multiple ghosting/double vision was still there, It did seem however to be different like it was a more focused multiple and somewhat closer to the real image rather than far apart. I did a quick photoshop drawing to show an example of how it seemed.

Before and After image



My question is should the RGP lens correct it completley or is this kind of outcome common? Im awaiting the re-orderd RGP with the prescription for a trial for 1 week which is due in shop in about 4-5days. Another question I have is are some RGP lens better at correcting this than others?

Thanks for any help.

[longhoc]

Hi Vigilante

It's very good that (presumably the optometrist at) Vision Express did their best to help out with trying to get your vision sorted. Usually run-of-the-mill opticians send anyone with suspected Keratoconus away to seek treatment outside of the High Street.

While they may well be trying their best to provide a remedy -- and RGPs are certainly one option if you have Keratoconus -- I'm a little troubled that you've not actually had a proper diagnosis yet. Even with the best of intentions, the sort of equipment typically available at a High Street operator isn't sufficient to effectively diagnose Keratoconus (especially in the early stages). Neither, frankly, is your GP. They can make some educated guesses and perform cursory checks. But an optometrist or ophthalmologist in an NHS eye unit is much better placed to provide a definitive diagnosis and help you access the most suitable corrective aid for you eyesight. That's not to say that there aren't a good many High Street outlets who will do a very good job at managing Keratoconus. But the sort of questions you have such as "is this as good as my vision can be corrected to ?", "are RGPs the best option for me ?" and "do I really have Keratoconus ?" in my humble opinion really do warrant a proper examination and a diagnosis at a specialist eye unit.

So I'd suggest you get your appointment with the person you've been lined up to see out the way. Make sure that they are either an optometrist who is experienced in working with Keratoconus patients or an ophthalmologist. It sounds like they are from what you've said, but definitely worth making certain. Once that's been done, I'm sure you'll have a lot of answers to your questions !

In the meantime, there's no harm at all working with the optician on the High Street -- they may well come up with an RGP lens based option you're happy with. But do go and see that specialist too ...

Best wishes

Chris

[Vigilante]

The GP works at the eye unit at the hospital for something like 3 days per week, but as far as I know she deals with cataracts, she did say she could see it while using the slit lamp in her room at my medical centre and that in her opinion she wouldnt use RGP's because it could make the eye worst.

To recap as I said in a previous thread I only use one eye at a time due to having an alternating squint and im now right eye dominant, her opinion was to do nothing....but I cant take that advice.

I have an appointment to see the GP im registered with on 19th, so it leaves me about a week to test the RGP before I see him and ask for a referal to this other guy that specialises in it. What else could even realistically cause the problems? since both eyes actually see multiple images with the one worst than other and both have been seeing it in one form or another for the past 10 years.

The actual pattern of the multiple ghosting/vision does not change on a day to day basis either or even on a month to month basis, its always the exact same formation on objects such as lights or the moon or whatever. Im abit of an artist with a degree in graphic design/illustration so I might well start to illustrate what I see, others might consider it surrealism haha