UK Keratoconus Self-Help and Support Association

Hi Everyone,

As a newbie in all respects (to this forum and KC) I am curious as to be implications of diagnosis - do people with this conditions get lenses on the NHS?

Also, I've worn soft lenses since I was 18 (42 now!!!) and was wondering if I'd caused this in some way?

Would be grateful for advice.

Fiona

Hi Fiona, welcome to the forum.

Firstly, please don't panic. The likelihood of KC is that it is based on a genetic predisposition, followed by an unknown trigger, often in puberty and sometimes during pregnancy, so it is likely hormonal.

That does mean of course that you are incredibly unlikely to have caused this, so don't beat yourself up about it.

As to getting lenses on the NHS, this is possible, but only if you get your lenses from a hospital opthalmology department. The NHS standard cost is about £45 per lens, but this includes free replacements due to changes in your eyes for a year.

Be warned though that access to this is a bit of a post code lottery.

All the best.

Hi John,

Thanks for the reply - I guess its like everything - we look for a 'reason'. I guess I always felt that wearing lenses for all these years couldnt have been 'good' for me and that I was lucky to get away unscathed! But I will stop beating myself up forthwith!

As for the NHS - I had guessed as much really, but will see what transpires when I'm referred - I'm seeing my GP on Tuesday so will see from there.

At the moment feel a little isolated (apart from this forum, which is a godsend) because
had I not done my own research following a trip to the optician I wouldnt have gone to the Doctor! The optician certainly didnt suggest that I should. Seems that all forms of health care are a bit of a lottery these days.

Thanks for your advice.



Fiona

I think the main point to remember when wearing a rigid lens is to wear them sensibly just like you do with soft.

The RGP lens will slide slightly on the cornea, this helps circulate the tears behind the lens and keep the lensa nd cornea lubricated. We get regular checks to ensure the cornea is healthy and to monitor the KC.

Any surface damage is usually due to over wearing lenses or infection which being a soft lens user you will know about the safeguards already.

Fiona

all the time I was wearing contact lenses (prescribed and provided through the NHS, first in Aberdeen and then in Glasgow) I got them at a seriously discounted price (John gives the most up to date charge).

But if my new lens was due to a failure of a previous one, then the new one was usually free.

Andrew

Fiona

Lenses, in my opinion, can advance thinning of the cornea if they are npt fit correctly. This is one of the main reasons why Keratoconic corneas need to be seen; ideally 3 months; but definately every 6 months! As the cornea is ever changing its essential that this change is reflected in the fit of the contact lens

J

But where the lens "rubs" away the epithelial cells a little course of chlramphenicol and a week without lenses should see everything restored to the way they were. There may be some marginal thinning, but if the option is not being able to see I'd sooner risk the thinning.

Andrew