Scleral lens supply and fitting on the NHS

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brian[]20
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Keratoconus: Yes, I have KC
Vision: Graft(s) and contact lenses

Scleral lens supply and fitting on the NHS

Postby brian[]20 » Sun 10 Sep 2017 11:36 am

First I apologise if this subject has been raised before, but I haven't spotted it. I'm 70 years old and developed Kerotoconus 30 years or so ago. I eventually had a corneal graft in my right eye and continued with contact lenses for some years Treatment was (and has since been at Moorfields.

After some years these were changed to Scleral lenses for both eyes due to increasing sensitivity to standard hard lenses. Until the last few years everything has been fine, but irritation (soreness) is becoming a problem in both eyes now - hence more visits to Moorfields. I live in Lincoln and it is rapidly becoming prohibitively expensive to travel to London. What I need if at all possible is somewhere a bit nearer than London and obviously NHS, not private.

I've asked the Moorfields specialist I see if there is anywhere nearer, but he always seems a bit vague. He has given me the distinct impression that only Moorfields can deal with me. So my question is - is this in fact the case and if not, how do I find a hospital nearer. Ring round/write? Any help or information would be most gratefully received.
Brian

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Anne Klepacz
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Posts: 2265
Joined: Sat 20 Mar 2004 5:46 pm
Keratoconus: Yes, I have KC
Vision: Graft(s) and contact lenses

Re: Scleral lens supply and fitting on the NHS

Postby Anne Klepacz » Sun 10 Sep 2017 7:04 pm

Hello Brian and welcome,
The problem might be that not many hospital clinics fit scleral lenses. So it would be a question of ringing around to check. Nottingham, Sheffield and Hull would all be nearer to you and all see quite a few KC patients. Whether any of them do sclerals, I don't know.
Good luck and let us know how you get on.

brian[]20
Newbie
Newbie
Posts: 2
Joined: Sun 10 Sep 2017 10:52 am
Keratoconus: Yes, I have KC
Vision: Graft(s) and contact lenses

Re: Scleral lens supply and fitting on the NHS

Postby brian[]20 » Mon 18 Sep 2017 12:06 pm

Anne,
Sorry for the delay in getting back. I've contacted Sheffield and Nottingham hospitals and received a speedy reply from both. I'm almost certain had I contacted Hull the answer would have been similar; Yes, they both carry out corneal grafts and aftercare. They both deal with keratoconus and the supply, fitting and aftercare for scleral lenses. So quite why Moorfields seemed so adamant that I probably wouldn't get help elsewhere I'll never know.
For the past 12 years that we've lived in Lincoln it has put me off even trying another hospital. Had I known, we could have saved a lot of time and money over those years. I would add though that over the past 30 or so years they have otherwise been excellent to deal with. I did ask the same question 3 or 4 times over these years - the first time being when we first moved here, the most recent at my last appointment (April this year).

All I need is a referral from my GP which I'm arranging. I've chosen Sheffield rather than Nottingham (which is closer still) as access to the hospital is easier there. Distance: just a little over one-third the distance to London.
I very much appreciate the help you've given me. Thanks again, Brian


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