Quicktopic posts: Jul 2002

[umbilical@umbilical.demon]

Jan wrote:

I used to use Fairy
liquid on my old contacts (before RGP) and found that it worked a treat but was told not to use it on the gas permeables as it
could cause problems. I guess they were wrong, how long have
you been using it?

Hi again Jan,

I'm trying to remember how long I've been wearing RGPs - I think about 6 or 7 years. Several years, anyway. I've always used
washing up liquid on them (or shower gel, or on occasions the
liquid soap in the Ladies' of the office where I used to work,
and never had any problems. At least, not any problems because
of the soap.

I think that "expert" opinion is divided about this - as a
cynic, I might also wonder whether some "experts" have more of
an interest in selling you expensive specialist solutions than
others! I'm afraid I'd never have got into RGPs if I'd had to
do all that messing with soaking and cleaning solutions..... I
did try Boston cleaning solution once, found it ponged to high
heaven and it took about a gallon of water to wash the smell
away before I could put the lens in, so gave it up and went back to the washing up liquid.

Of course, you do have to rinse it off properly..... though I
find it is more usual that I haven't used enough and the lens
still won't wet and has to be washed again.

Mine are scleral lenses - though I don't think this should make
a difference as to cleaning.


I just reread your previous message and saw you'd said you'd had a recent hydrops. Commiserations! - I've had 4 now. They say
this is impossible, errrm, very very rare, but I did! Three in
one eye and one in the other - the first, one in each eye, were
about 22 and 20 years ago, and the third and fourth in the same
eye, four and three years ago, but not so severe as the first
two (that is, fuzzy vision and sore eyes, but not totally
blocked vision for a month or more).

But a thought: how long ago was yours? I found it took several
months after the third and fourth ones till my eyes were back to "normal" again - I had a few months after each when my eyes
seemed more tender and less lens-tolerant than they used to be. It wore off - back to "normal" - again eventually, but it did
take some time. What? - three or four months? maybe six months, tailing off gradually. So, if yours was less than, say, a year
ago, your current problems may still be the after-effects - so
go easy on yourself, hang in there, let it recover. I don't know if this also affects protein build-up rates.... though if your
metabolism is trying to repair the damage of the hydrops, it
sounds (to me, anyway!) quite plausible there'd be more proteins
knocking about than "normal". Just a thought....

Good luck!


Rosemary

[Shanni]

I just found out I had keratoconus, and at first I was afraid, but when I discovered it was a manageable diease, and I wouldn't go blind I feel much better. I hadn't realized I had the condition since puberty and I'm now almost eighteen. I am very glad there are people out there who have what I have.. It is nice to knwo you are not alone. What I thought was odd was that it occurs so young, but then again, I remember when I first began showing signs if it,, Now I have to get rigid contacts.. Oh well... At least I know what was wring with my vision all this time...

[Sam]

Shanni, I too discovered that I had KC when I was about 18, at the time I too was really upset by the whole experience. I was the type of person that couldn't even stand having a eye lash in my eye, let alone a piece of plastic.
But Moorfields were absolutly great and were very patient with me.

Dont know if you have started wearing the lenses as yet, but its just like anything new, it takes time. But the one good thing is that they will be able to correct your vision and hopefully you'll be able to do all the things you used to be able to do.

I see it this way, there are so many people who are far worse off, some people cannot see at all, at least we have some form of vision with the aids of contacts.

Hope everything goes well for you.

Sam

[Jan Fisher]

Rosemary

Thanks again for your suggestions, I had not thought of the possible link with hydrops, I had it last summer and the protein build up does seem to have been worse since then. I am going to see my eye guy next week and will mention it to him. I have been to the hospital today as the old eyes are a lot worse. I seem to have an eye infection and am now without lenses for the next 7 days. Does anyone else out there get fed up of looking like Cosmo Smallpiece on a bad day. I think if I squint anytmore I will stick like it. Still at least the housework gets caught up with and I have an excuse for any missed bits.

Jan

[sarah marsh]

hi everyone
thank u to all that sent me emails !
i have find everyones help and advice a godsend !
its great to know that there are people out there with same problem that understand all about it .
i have read all messages and emails and now i dont really feel as scared about having the op and talk about it lots more!( like i know all about it ) ha ha
thanks again and do keep emails coming. i will reply to each and everyone
love sarah xxxx

[Sue Ingram]

Dear Rae (776) - I am assuming that the contact lenses you have tried previously have been rgp conrneals? Have you ever tried scleral contact lenses? It would definitely be worth a try as they are so much more comfortable than the corneal lenses, do not fall off due to the conical shape of a KC cornea and are often given to people after a corneal graft. It appears that even if people cannot tolerate corneal lenses, they may well be able to tolerate sclerals. I would say it is definitely worth a try and might sort out your headaches. Where do you live? Do you attend a hospital or optician? Take care. SUE

[Sue Ingram]

Dear Jan (782) - I know what you mean about the squinting when not wearing lenses - I often do not realise I am doing it until I look at my partner and he is taking the mickey by copying me! Concerning the protein build-up, I was the same as you for quite a long time and it made wearing corneal lenses a complete nightmare. I then decided to try giving up dairy products as these are known to produce mucus in the body and also due to the fact that KC sufferers are often atopic. This has definitely worked for me and I get a lot less protein these days. I stayed off dairy products altogether for about two years but now if I eat chocolate or cheese (which I lurve!) every now and again it does not seem to be a problem - I think it is the continuity of eating dairy products every day which causes a build-up. This might not work for everyone but might be worth a try. Take care. SUE

[Sue Ingram]

Dear Vera (768) - Some hints and tips for putting in scleral lenses without gettting air bubbles: I find the best way is to hold your head forward at a right angle to your body and hold your top eyelid up as much as possible. Ensure that you put the lens in very very slowly and precisly, trying to make sure that it is going in straight and not at an angle, with your eye looking right down as if you are looking through your body and out your back! Then, when the lens is over your eye, slowly draw the top eyelid over the lens, slowly pull down the bottom eyelid if required, ensuring that you do not bring your head up until both of these are done. Doesn't work 100% of the time but seems to on most occasions. I am sure everyone has their own knack of doing it which comes over time but this might help your brother. Take care. SUE

[Sam (Re: Sue Ingram)]

Sue,

I wonder if you could give me some advice too, I wear hard rigid lenses, but I find that when I take them off in the evening I find there is a layer of grease on the actual lens ?
This is quite difficult to take off even with 'Mira Flow'.

Sam

[Jillian Wolfenden]

Just thought that I would say hello to everybody, and hope that everybody is keeping well.