UK Keratoconus Self-Help and Support Association

Hello

My name is Amit, and I've had KC for about 4 years now. I've been wearing RGPs for the same time, but over the last few months I've started to feel discomfort during my everyday wear. I've lived in Canada most of my life, and moved to London 2 years ago, and I've struggled to find a reliable place to have my eyes looked after.

Has anyone got any tips on how I can try the 'piggybacking' system? I think this would probably solve a lot of my problems, as I've tried wearing soft lenses to test their comfort, and seem to work great. From what I've read on this forum, and on the web, piggybacking probably seems to be a good bet for me. Can I simply go and purchase lenses that are meant for piggybacking, or should I go through a GP, then perhaps Moorfields or another eye centre?

Any help would be appreciated!

Thanks
Amit

Hi Amit

Welcome to the forum.

My RGP's became uncomfortable around Christmas 2005 which resulted in a maximum lens wear time of 2 hours which not comfortable.

I tried many things until I statrted using lubricating eye drops (Systane by Alcon) initially every couple of hours, but after three months just morning before putting lenses in and night after taking them out. I find for best results I have had to cut out much of the cofee and other drinks I had throughout the day. Although fruit juice is good for you as is much fruit, it is also a diaeretic. Rather than drink coffee or juice drinks throughout the day I only have water, at least 2 litres per day. Coffee twice per day and any other drink apart from the occasional glass of wine is milk. I eat a lot more fresh fruit than before, but not fruit drinks.

The comined effect is I am on the same lenses as when the problem started, but get an easy 12 hours comfortable lens wear 7 days per week, before it was 2 hours for 5 days! Quite a big improvement.

I know such things have worked for others here although some have found a different type of eye drop beneficeal.

hope this helps.

Amit

Welcome to the board!

I wouldnt suggest getting them yourself and using them...

Id suggest that you either get reffered to Moorefields via your GP and get into the "system" or go to an Opticians whom have experience in fitting KC patients......

Theres a lot fo implications of using Piggybacking....and it isnt for everyone. Plus you will need to be monitored when using them....via visits at least every 6 months....

There is a thread on this site which recommends Opticians who fit KC patients...take a look at that

HTH

J

Definitely see an optician or equivalent, you need to make sure your eyes are getting good levels of oxygen, which means you may need the right RGP / Soft Lens combo!

All the best.

hi amit i have another solution for you... i cant tolerate hard lenses either but my dr got me these soft lenses but they are specifically made for KC and are thicker then normal lenses. try to find a good lens practitioner and ask them about such lenses. i dont know which company makes them though...

Amit

Welcome

the main thing is not to panic. It may just be that you need new RGP's: there are loads of different sorts, and fittings, so there is every probbility that they will find another that suits you as well as the first pair did when it was first fitted.

How good is your optometrist at fitting lenses to eyes with keratoconus? It is always worth asking how much experience individual optometrists have. That said, a referral to a hospital with a contact lens clinic would both put you in the ophthalmological system, and enable you to see contact lens fitters who are at the top of their game in terms of fitting our sorts of eyes.

Andrew

Amit,
I agree with Andrew, a referral into the NHS system is worth considering. There are many kinds of lenses, any of which may resolve your problem but to trial these privately would be expensive and you would be missing out on a wealth of KC knowledge and experience.