UK Keratoconus Self-Help and Support Association

Hi Everyone

I have been wearing RGP lenses for about a year, i have always found them uncomfortable. I have been told by a friend of mine that the fit of the lenses is very good, and am unlikely to get a better fitting lens.
I'm finding my tolerance and comfort for my RGPS is getting a lot worse, i can on average last for about 3 hours comfortably. My eyes at the moment feel extremely dry and irritated. i have tried using systane on a regular basis and unfortunately havnt helped. I try to drink at least 1 to 2 litres of water a day, go to the gym 4 times a week and eat a lot of fruit.
Could anybody suggest how they have overcome comfort issues with rgp's?
Are there any tips/suggestions on making them more comfortable and longer to wear?

Many thanks in advance

i was in the same situation. at first they were so uncomfortable i couldnt leave then in for 2 minutes, but gradually built up my wearing time to about 9 hours, 3 of which were comfortable and the rest were really not. there are many other lenses available for keratoconics not just the small diameter corneal rgps like rose ks and profile lenses. you could try piggybacks by using an rgp ontop of a soft lens. you may find it more comfortable with a larger diameter lens such as intra limbal where there is less lid interaction, softperm where the outer segment of the lens is soft so the lens is more comfortable similar(but still way off) to a soft hydrogel. theres flex edge thats similar to softperm but the whole lens is made from rgp materials, kerasoft is a soft lens which is comfortable but doesnt give the same vision as standard rgps. then you have scleral lenses which are very big and go over the sclera and also forms a reservoir between the cornea and back of the lens which can help with dry eyes.

never take no for an asnwer when someone says thats the best they can do, when they havent tried everything else out there,

artificial tears ca help to an extent though they wont make the lens significantly more comfortable. they will help to alleviate the feeling when the lens is drying out. systane is ok though i didnt really find it very helpful and neither really is hypermellose for me. though a drop of systane 10 mins before does help with initial comfort on insertion and a drop after helps with irritation after i remove the lens which helps me stop rubbing my eyes.