New member!!

[Rina]

Hi. I only found out about this site today. It's proved to be very helpful!
I was diagnosed with keratoconus about a year and a half ago. I'm 23 and finding it very difficult to cope with as I am currently studying at university for a Psychology degree. I was prescribed with rigid contact lenses but cannot wear them at all now because I suffer from severe eczema and my eyes are already very sore from this! I would welcome any suggestions on how to deal with the poor sight I am experiencing at the momemt or if anyone is in a similar position to me.

I am new to this, so any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Rina.

[jayuk]

Rina

Welcome to the board i guess

SOrry to hear about the two conditions together.

How long have you had the lenses? What is your tolerance to these lenses ie how long can you wear them? What adivce was you given on them?

You mention that you can no longer wear them, what do you rely on now? Wearing any hard lenses is very difficult initially......and requires perserverance and the correct fit of lenses.......I guess my first port of call would be the Lens Fitters to get him/her to take a look at the lens fitting.

Getting used to the lenses does take time and with todays advancements in lenses there are MANY to choose from and try

J

[jelly]

Hi there,

Just thought I would reply to say that I empathise with your situation. I was diagnosed with KC four years ago. Tried all the lenses under the sun, but due to having eczema, allergies, allergic conjunctivits etc it was a no go. I tried for two years to get used to them but in the end I gave up.

I am lucky that my KC is not too bad. I have prescription glasses that look like bottle tops - the lenses are very very thick - but I can see to work and to drive (although not at night). I tried RGP, piggy backs, soft lenses - everything but my eyes could not take them.

I wish you all the best. I know exactly how you feel.

Jelly
xx

[Sophie Bull]

Hi rina, Im 22 and at uni too, 8 weeks left a dissertation to write and then its all over..phew! but typically my eyes are not exactly playing the same game! Some consultants would not want to use them,but have you tried soft perm lenses? Although the negatives are..they dont let very much oxygen get to your cornea so there is some danger of blood vessels growing and stuff, but it may be worth asking about. If worn for 6-8 hours a day they should be fine and are very comfortable. The have a hard inner lens with a soft outer trim. I also have eczema and find it really hard, there seems to be nothing to put on your eye lids, they let me use eczema cream for a week or so when its really bad, but its not really advisable on such a sensititve area. I put vaseline on my eye lids at night to trap in any moisture..has helped me and might be worth a go.

As for uni, go and see your department or student services, I wish I had done this sooner as im now third year, but after an assessment I was provided with a 19" computer screen, which akes things much bigger. I also have a reader for some time a week and someone to help find library resources etc. They make my exam papers big and have offered me a writer for exams but I ahve not found persoanlly it helps me very much. Dont sturggle on, go and find out who is supposed to help. It is their job..as it is your lecturers to provide bigger handouts or alternatives to OHPs etc.

Good luck and if you ahve any questions..ask away

Soph

[GarethB]

To help my eczema I use alpha kiri oil available over the counter from the chemist. This has emant I no longer need the steroid creams and I have been using it for 15 years now. As a kid I had to be coverd in cream and mummified to stop me scratching it was that bad so the summer of 1976 was absolute HELL!

It can make your hands a bit greesy and round the eyes, so I use Johnson pH balance soap for my morning wash prior to putting my lenses in and let them settle. Then I use the oil again to wash my hands and around my eyes. This helps remove any lens solution and dried tears from around my eyes.

Only a suggestion that might help.

Gareth