RGP Lenses

[petedoc]

Hi im new to this and have a million questions! But ill start with this one. How long are you allowed to keep them in for because i dont really take mine out unless it is to sleep!! Will this damage my eye's further?? Does anyone else feel that they dont get enough effort put in by there consultant?? I feel that im rushed in and out (mostly under ten mins) with none of my questions answered!! Im wondering if there is someone who specialises in KC in the UK??
Pete

[Sweet]

Pete,

Hi there and welcome to the site! Sadly there isn't enough time for any appointment for any condition but you can ask questions and your optometrist and consultant should help you. Don't feel that you can only be there for ten minutes, you have a right to get the right support and treatment.

I have been wearing RGP lenses for 16 years. I have always been told that you can wear them for as long as you find them comfortable. This would be 8 hours preferably but I know that most people wear them for a lot longer than that. I wear mine for more like 15! Just make sure that you keep regular appointments with your optometrist so that they can check the fit and make sure that there are no problems.

I use 'Blink' eyedrops when I have a lens in my eye and 'Systane' eyedrops twice a day before I put my lenses in and ten minutes after I take them out. This really helps as I find my eyes do dry out.

There are many worries about lenses damaging your eye, but there is no real proof of this. I think that it is the persons decision whether or not they want to see by wearing lenses. I choose to do this because I want to work. I now piggy back with one of the RGP lenses with a soft lens underneath, this makes it a lot more comfortable but I have to make sure that I get this eye checked regularly as less oxygen can pass through two lenses.

Hoping that you carry on well with your lenses!

[Andrew MacLean]

Pete

Welcome to the forum.

I think that ophthalmologists sometimes find it hard to gage how much their patients want to know.

I go to see mine with a list of questions written on a spiral back notepad. Once he has looked at my eyes I start ticking off my questions. if I do not see the consultant and the registrar cannot answer my question (s)he goes off and finds the boss.

You have a perfect right to have all your questions answered in full. In fact, sometimes I have got to the point where subsequent questions have arisen during a consultation and the ophthalmologist has dlet me return to the waiting room to re-cast my list of issues so that when I go back in (s)he can deal with all my queries and I go on my way with all issued addressed.

Andrew

[donna]

Most days I wear my lenses for 15 hours, some days if I am not going straight out to work or whatever I dont put them in straight away so the wear time is less, because I struggle so much without them I prefer to have them in, I have good fitting lenses and they are comfortable. I did have a problem with protein build up but sorted that by swopping to Boston cleaners etc I also use protein remover tablets once a week.
When you have an appointment that is your time to ask questions etc So dont let them rush you in and out of the room, say to them that you have some questions. Writing them down before you go is a good idea.

[GarethB]

Pete

Bottom line is you need to be sensible. When your eyes become uncomfortable then the lenses should come out. For me this is a definite 12 hours, but most the time I can go 16 but I am very aware that after 12 hours the 16 may never come about so I plan things on a 12 hour cycle.

Spent loads time speaking with hospital optoms and they agree 10 minutes is not enough and the Primary Care trusts and targets appear to be the cause of this. They would dearly like to give us more time, the question is how do we make that change without increasing the waiting list time to get the appointment in the first palce.

If anyone wants to start that topic of debate feel free as it is something each local group should perhaps discuss too. It was touched on at the confrence regarding a balance between hospital and community care.