Move to Scleral Lens from RGP
Posted: Fri 18 Jun 2021 2:30 pm
Hi, I am 42 and was diagnosed with KC approx aged 20. Since then I have managed with RGP lenses. Comfort and vision have been okay. However, at least once per day I experience soreness, irritation/watery eyes. This is usually to do with the environment I am in; work (too much screen time), being outside and dust getting in the eye etc. Light sensitivity has always been an issue to the point where looking up at anything above eye level causes pain/discomfort/watery eyes. I have just accepted that this is the way things are with KC and have been lucky that the impact on my life has been minimal, mainly frustration dealing with the above. At my most recent check up my ophthalmologist mentioned that new KC patients are given scleral lenses rather than RGP's. We discussed the benefits which he said are usually more comfort, clearer vision and better tolerance. I decided to give them a go. I went to have the left lens fitted 2 weeks ago, the comfort is great, I have mastered insertion and removal however the vision was considerably poorer. I have been back to see him and despite tweaking with the prescription I can't achieve the same level of vison in my left eye as I can with the RGP. The best I can achieve is reading one letter on the 20:30 line of the Snellen Chart. With the RGP I can make out the whole of that line. I left feeling disappointed. The newer prescription will be ordered but I am feeling disheartened at the prospect of the vision being slightly worse. Apparently I have significant scarring on my left eye which is making it difficult to achieve better vision. My right eye is better than the left and he is keen to start the process with the right eye once he is happy that the left is settled. I'm wondering if there is any point pursuing this if I can't achieve the same level of vision that I have now. What are other people's experiences with moving from RGP's to Scleral. Is the better comfort worth the reduction in vision? If my right eye is in better condition could there be a chance that Scleral's improve that eye further and balance out the reduction in vision in the left. Apologies for the long winded post. I have more questions than answers currently!