UK Keratoconus Self-Help and Support Association

Hi, I am in the process of trying to get maximum vision from scleral lenses. I have had a left scleral for a few years and still have an RGP in the right. With that combination I can achieve 20/30 vision.

My ophthalmologist is trying to improve that by tinkering with the left and switching the right to scleral. As yet I haven’t been able to achieve an improvement.

From eye tests my vision hasn’t deteriorated in the last year (rapid decline after diagnosis 24 years ago with relatively stable vision for the last couple of years), however I feel like I am struggling more.

Colours feel less vivid. For example, I couldn’t read grey writing on a white background as the two colours weren’t distinguishable. If the print had been black bold I could have read it.

When I’m driving, car headlights or the sun now fully block any other colour and all I can see is searing light.

I wear polarised sunglasses in the day which helps a little but at night I worry about driving.

Has anyone else felt that eye tests have shown stable-ish vision but in reality vision feels worse?

Are there any solutions to improving the vividness of colours?

Thanks for reading
Emma

Hi Emma
Both of these symptoms suggest cataracts. I wear scleral lenses in both eyes and have similar problems. I am currently on a NHS waiting list for cataract surgery.
Nic

Yes, these symptoms are associated with cataracts. But they're also often found in KC. I remember not being able to see grey print and having less vivid colours long before I developed cataracts and before I had corneal transplants. I don't know which eye chart your hospital uses, Emma, but the standard Snellen chart doesn't give much of an indication of contrast vision. So in theory, we can read the same number of lines, but how easily all depends on the light levels and all sorts of other factors. Fitting contact lenses is so often a compromise between the best visual acuity and lenses which give better comfort and are kinder on the cornea. Has piggy backing (a soft lens underneath an rgp) ever been suggested for you?

Hi. No not had Piggy Backing suggested but I am seeing the corneal specialist tomorrow regarding potential graft so I will ask her. Thank you for your reply

How did you get on last week?