UK Keratoconus Self-Help and Support Association

Well I promised I'd come back on here and give you an update when I had the new softer RGP lenses and I have now had them for about 12 hours so here's the first update.

At first I was disappointed - I don't really know what I expected, I think I thought they'd look and feel radically different to the old lenses, but they don't.

When I put them in I immediately noticed that they were more comfortable. I haven't worn lenses properly...well for about 2 months, and then the best i could ever manage was a couple of hours.

These ones went in before the Wales V England rugby match and stayed in until well after the final magnificent whistle was blown.

Obviously there is some irritation to the upper inner eyelid but that got easier and easier. As my eyes grew tired it did get more difficult, but to manage pretty well for the best part of 2 hours on the first go was pretty good in my opinion.

I feel really optimistic that I will buid this time quite easily with these lenses, will go for 3 hours tomorrow.

If I had to score them, I'd say they were 50% better than previous normal RGP's and well worth investigating.

To give you the technical spec', they are called RGP Silicone Hydrogel Contact Lenses - the brand name is 'Comfort 02' and the manufacturer's name is David Thomas Ltd. http://www.davidthomas.com

They are maybe not the radical breakthrough that I was hoping they'd be for us all, but they are a lot more comfy and I recommend them to you if they suit your circumstances.

I'll post another update in a few days when the lenses and I get used to each other!

Hi Paul....Thanks for posting that good news....

I was just wondering what the numbers are for your vision before and after wearing these lenses and also how bad is your KC; does it effect both your eyes or just one more than the other....

Thanks for your input...Ciao

Hello mate.

Sorry haven't got a clue about the numbers, will try to find out next time I see the Optician...that will be withing the next couple of weeks.

As for my KC....my left is far worse than my right but both are affected by KC.

As for how bad is my KC??

Hard one to score really, I'd say pretty bad in my left but not so bad in my right. Suffice to say I need lenses now.

Thanks paul.....You know it may be due to the fact from talking to people living in other contries with KC that they give a one to five value to the size of the Keratoconus cone over in there home country...The value one being mild and so on....I see they use this measurement with F/Rings.....so sorry about that...

Your KC seems to be about the same as mine anyhow...

Thanks for sharing! and best of luck to you!

Paul, how are new softer lenses doing???? I get mine a week today, and can't wait. Not sure if am right to be expecting too much, and then will be disappointed. But have been struggling with pain etc for ages. All my hopes and they are HUGE hopes are are pinned on these. Best Wishes.

Jacqueline

They are certainly an improvement, but don't expect the quantum leap of a difference that I was hoping for.

I can keep them in comfortably for up to 5 hours now...which is an improvement on the hour or so I managed with my old lenses.

I'm sure you'll be impressed but don't expect a miracle.

Cheers

Paul

Hi guys...time for another update of these new Comfort 02 softer RGP's.

I think I've had them a couple of months or so now (something like that), and I gotta say, I am well pleased with them.

Unlike my previous RGP's I can keep them in all day 16-18 hours with little trouble. Yes my eyes can get a little tired and scratchy now and then, but that's quite normal, is it not?

Compared with the maximum 2-3 hours with previous RGP's it's bloody marvellous.

I find them easy enough to put in and take out, keep them nice and clean just like I was shown - and as for my vision...well it's unbelievable. Crystal clear. Oh yes and they stay right in place. I love them.

My wife can't quite understand when it gets to late evening and I have to take them out what a pain that is - and how the next few minutes until you adjust can be quite a downer. One of these days I'm going to get the video camera and unfocus it so I can show what 'normal' vision is like for us lot!!!

Anyway so it's going well and they are heartily recommended. Just one thing, can anyone recommend any drops at all that will help for those times when my eyes get a bit tired and scratchy as described above. Hopefully something that's easily available in Tescos or somewhere like that.

Cheers

Paul

Hi Paul...

Here's a vision stimulator...It shows many different comparisons in vision for people with eye-sight problems...

http://www.visionsimulations.com/#

...glad to here your doing so well...

Please continue keeping us posted on the good news...

That is a really good link Sajeev, Thanks.

Paul when I gave my employers a presentation on KC and what was needed to help me ocpe at work on the days I have trouble with my lenses, I gave them a pair of safety glasses and with a fine spray of water from a plant sprayer I sprayed one lens and got them to look up at the light. That gave them an example of what I was seeing when I was wearing glasses and why I found work difficult. I then went and sprayed the other lens while they were still looking at the light and explained that they now had a good impression of uncorrected sight for me. Finally I got them to take the safety glasses off and stay looking at the light to give them an impression of my corrected sight. They now understand why I have to wear lenses which are heavily tinted and in office areas need sunglasses and very dark tinted safety glasses for the laboratory.

Can not gaurantee this will work for everyone, but while I was off work getting used to my new lenses, I had a chance to experiment with diffrent ways to get blured vision on different surfaces to demonstarte to others.

Hope this helps

Gareth

That's really innovative Gareth...I like that.

Sajeev and his link has actually been fantastic though, I was able to demonstrate the levels of sight perfectly. I think it was a bit of an eye opener!! (Excuse the pun). I especially liked the floaters bit...it's so hard to put into clear words sometimes.

Anyway thanks Guys, I appreciate your words, and yes, I'll keep you all updated on the Comfort 02's. Can't speak highly enough of them.

Just need to find a useful bottle of drops or something now that will help when things get a bit scratchy...any ideas?