UK Keratoconus Self-Help and Support Association

Hello all

I’ve had KC for a number of years - I’ve been told it’s mild and only in my right eye. I have a soft contact lens but find myself back at the opticians every 6 months altering the subscription. Whereas I can see / read clearly the soft lens never solves the blurring / fuzziness and as a result it takes more concentration to drive (which is no longer fun), and I can get headaches. Will any lens get rid of the blurring / give perfect vision with comfort?

Lastly does anyone else notice that sunglasses also seem to change vision? It’s not comfortable putting them on - are polarised a better option?

Thanks!
Andrew

Hello Andrew and welcome,
Are the soft lenses you wear ordinary soft lenses or ones especially for KC such as Kerasoft? You'd probably find your vision improved with either specialist soft lenses or with one of the types of rigid lenses that the majority of us wear. Soft lenses drape themselves to the distorted shape of a KC cornea, so don't do much to improve the vision. A harder soft lens or a rigid lens gives a regular surface to the cornea and makes a lot of difference to how you see.
If you're not already being seen at a hospital clinic, you could ask your GP to refer you to one with a contact lenses department. Or look at our list of High Street optometrists https://www.keratoconus-group.org.uk/in ... ometrists/ with a special interest in fitting keratoconus if you prefer to go privately.

Hi Andrew,

amcs18 wrote:Whereas I can see / read clearly the soft lens never solves the blurring / fuzziness

I'm not sure what you mean by this. If you can see clearly then in what way is your vision blurred?

Or do you mean that you can read the 6/6 line, but the residual ghosting means that in real life your vision seems blurred?

A different design of lens may help. For years there was always some residual ghosting with the vision with my right eye. I'd mention the problem at every appointment but as I had 6/6 vision and the lens was a healthy fit it wasn't seen to be an issue. To be fair with both eyes together I didn't notice the ghosting so I continued with the lens. When the eye was finally re-fitted they did find a lens that minimised the ghosting. What was interesting was that while I had the old lens I'd get an occasional head ache if I'd neglected to wear sunglasses on a bright day. The glare off a pond's water at lunchtime would give me a headache at teatime. But with the refitted lens I've not been so affected by glare.

amcs18 wrote:Will any lens get rid of the blurring / give perfect vision with comfort?

Keratoconus varies so much between people that this is difficult to answer. There is always an element of compromise. Comfort/vision/wearing time all need to be considered. Soft lenses are likely to be the most comfortable but well fitted RGPs can be although one does have to build up wearing time.

Lia

Thanks Anne and Lia!

I can read fine at the opticians but in real life the right eye image is blurred. The soft toric lens helps, it takes the edge off, but the image is still blurry. Luckily my left eye is not affected so with both working I can read fine - the right just throws me off a little at times. Pretty similar to what you experienced Lia.

Anne - I’ve heard about Kerasoft. I’ll look into that some more. Hospital discharged me as KC is stable. I may ask the GP for a referral again and see if they can help there. Alternatively Leightons seem to fit Kerasoft but that may be a costly option (no idea of cost!).

Andrew