UK Keratoconus Self-Help and Support Association

Hi all

for the past couple months i have found that my left eye has become much more sensitive to light e.g when going outside into the sun i 'll close my eyes for a couple seconds or i cant look up towards something bright for very long (not the sun!). I spent the last 2 months in NZ and OZ so im wondering if that was anything to do with it as the the sun is stronger on that side of the equator. I always wore U.V blocking sunglasses so my eyes were always protected. I then read some of the past posts and thought that it may be that my scleral lens in my grafted eye is touching the cornea, i remembered my optom saying it was a close fit and that he may have to alter it soon. Do you think this could more likely be the cause?
I dont want to have to worry about it as im starting uni soon and for the past few years i've lived life as normal with my lenses so i never really feel as if i have KC.

Thanks for your help
sarah

Hi Sarah,

Many of us do develop light sensitivity and end up with tinted glasses of one sort or another. I myself have two pairs, one really dark pair with full UV protection for bright suny days and a lighter tint that has less UV protection for not so sunny days.

It is also possible that the lens fit has changed and the cone is just touching as you suggest. Corenal irritation for me does cause light sensitivity.

Since using lubricating eye drops, my lenses are far more comfortable and the light sensitivity is much reduced too. Perhaps using lubricating eye drops before putting your scleral lens in may help a wee bit too.

I should point out that I am not a scleral wearer, still have the corneal lenses over my grafts.

Yup, I'm a multi-sunglasses man too.

All the best at University. What are you going to study, and where?

At the outset, it may be a good idea to let your adviser of studies (or whatever they call that person in your University) that you have Keratoconus. why not download one of the leaflets, and give it to her or him at your first meeting?

Yours aye

Andrew

Hi

My light sensitivity is also really bad and my eyes run terrible if i happen to get dazzled by something and then they sting for ages afterwards. Best thing is lots of different sunglasses of different protection strengths. i'm never far away from a pair!

It is also a good idea to shade your eyes. Lots of people wear baseball caps, while those of us with a sense of style wear bush hats or (in the winter) fedoras.

Who said style was dead?

I think I have seen women wearing hats, too, so they need not feel left out

Andrew

thanks everyone for your helfpul info, im hoping it is just the closeness of the lens as today i was out and about in the sun and i only had one of my lenses in (to test whether it was the lens causing the problem) and my left eye was fine, it didnt water or anything.
The uni dont really know about my KC as its not been a problem for 3 years now as my sclearls have given me a normal life! im off to plymouth uni to study physiotherapy in a week and a half, i cant wait to get down there.

Sarah,

Even though KC was not a problem post graft, I have always declared KC. When had problems again in 2004 I was glad I had as it made dealing with the problems so much easier. Since April everything has been fine.

Good luck with the studies.

Like Garth, I always declared my KC, even when it was giving me no trouble, and when I had no reason to think it ever would become troublesome.

That made life very much easier when I needed a bit of leeway.

All the best at Plymouth.

Andrew

Yeah, all the best in guz (Navy term for Plymouth). I used to live down there (Torquay); its nice.
Good luck with the physio, very worthwhile occupation in my view.
Good luck!

I gave my eye a couple days rest then put my lens in to try it out again, it was fine until i went out into the bright sunlight and my eye went pink and started watering, ive noticed after i have worn the left lens for a few hours it becomes more tired and sensitive to light e.g night light from cars when driving.This makes me think that the lens shape needs changing as i know my optom said last time i went to see him that it was a 'close fit'. I really hope its nothing to worry about as when the lens isnt in its absolutly fine! I went down to the uni today to look at my room etc, its so nice and plymouth was scorching hot. Only a week until i go now, very excited and nervous....!
thanks
sarah

P.s Do you think i would be able to get an emergency app at oxford eye hosp to get a lens re-fit this week, its kind of urgent as i really would like a new lens before i start uni instead of walking around with one in!