UK Keratoconus Self-Help and Support Association

Turns out I have a tendancy to dry eye and that there is a risk of my thin corneas cracking. Anyone else got this?

I have been advised to use Clinitas and some special swabs to keep my eyelids clean and my tear ducts open.

Quite common with us and KC which is why many of us use eye drops on a regular basis. I spent over six months finding drops that worked best for me. Most any lasted about an hour before needing another dose which is really inconvenient when you are trying to earn a living. Eventually I tries Systane by Alcon which initially only gave 2 hours releif before I needed a top up but after a couple of weeks it was half a days relief and after 2 months I was getting a whole day (12 hours) of lens wear free from dry eyes but no wearing lenses at weekends. I still use the Systane but now I am using the K3 lenses, the drops go in first thing in the morning before the lenses go in and last thing at night when the lenses come out. I work in a low humidity office but am wearing lenses for the whole duration I am awake with no dry eye options.

Others here use different eye drops, but it is very much a trial and error job to find which best suits you. Give them at least a week before deciing if you need to try soemthing different. Drinking plenty of watre helps, I get through about 2 liters per day. For me the first signs of dehydration is uncomfortable gritty eyes.

I have got Dry Eye as well as KC, and whilst the hospital recommended and prescribed me to use Celluvise 0.5%, my optician & contact lens fitter recommended the Clinitas. I was a bit dubious but i tried the Clinitas and find it is better than the Celluvise it does blur my vision for a few minutes. My CL are definantly have improved comfort when i use the Clinitas, and generally have a longer wear time.

private

good to see you back! I have heard of people suffering from cracked corneas due to dry eye, and you really want to find an artificial tear that works for you and use it regularly.

I think that clinitas is preservative-free, so there should be no danger of an allergic reaction to it. I use Optive, but am thinking of making the change to clinitas.

All the best

Andrew

Many of my patients have great success with the Clinitas range. I tend to suggest Soothe to be used with contact lenses in conjunction with either Hydrate Gel or Ultra 3 when the lenses arent worn.In particular the Hydrate is excellent at re wetting the eye whilst sleeping.
Of course all are different and trial and error is best way although it can be axpensive.

Expensive and clogs your eye solution shelf up. I really need to have a clear out

What is a cracked cornea?

I have heard of this: when the eye is dry for a long time, the process of blinking becomes both painful and abrasive. Unless this is treated the surface of the cornea becomes ulcerated and cracked.

Actually the risk of this is one reason why the authorities in the United States have been very reluctant to authorize CXL that involves removing the epithelium and leaving the eye vulnerable to tears being broken, then evaporating and leaving the eye dry.

Andrew

Thank you Andrew

Are all these different eye drops available over the counter......my optician has NEVER suggested any drops for my dry eyes......I have been buying Optrex drops for dry eyes off the shelf.......

from a KC sufferer who has had a bad deal so far from professionals............

BR
Po