UK Keratoconus Self-Help and Support Association

Hi there,

I've been diagnosed with keratoconus in my both my eyes around five years ago. I've been wearing RGP lenses ever since. As far as visual acuity is concerned i cannot complain.. i can read at ease, drive properly, watch films, and work comfortably on a computer. However, my eyelids are constantly red. As a result i wear my sunglasses almost everywhere i go in the mornings and afternoons be it summer or winter. If i don't wear them people will always say ' you look REALLY tired!' Have u been smoking? are u insomiac? are u depressed?

This is really frustrating situation and it does bother me a lot.

Let me know your thoughts about this, i do appreciate.

hi there mate

I know how you feel. i get puffy eyes people think i am depressed or tired or have a hang over even tho i dont drink lol. The way i sort of reduced this was one night i was missing with my girl firends eye mask thing. its sort of rubber mask with liquid fluid in it and you pop it in the fridge. after wearing that one night it helped reduce the puffy redness.

have try and good luck

cuddly

RGP lenses can impact against the rim of your eyelid when you blink: this makes your eyelids look red and can cause swelling or even infection. Maybe a visit to eye casualty will find out if you need some drops to help with any infection.

I used to need also to wipe the rim of my eyelids with a cotton bud dipped in a mild solution of baby shampoo and luke warm water.

I think that a different 'fit' can help to avoid this effect. I'd contact the optometrist who dispnesed the lenses to see if you need a new lens.

Andrew