UK Keratoconus Self-Help and Support Association

Hi

After waiting for about 12 weeks, my appointment to collect my scleral lenses finally came through. I managed to get them in fairly easily, and getting them out is a no-brainer with the plunger thingy Anyways the vision is excellent, and I can easily wear them for a long time (up to 10 hours isn't a problem at all). The problem is when I take them out..

The moment I remove the lenses, my eyes turn very red and very VERY itchy - I can't help but rub them, it's that bad

I'm pretty sure I clean them properly.. I clean them out before and after with Quattro multifunctional solution - not out of date or anything. I clean the lenses well (I even clean the plunger thing with Quattro - like my hopsital told me to do), and I fill the lenses with the saline solution up to about 3/4.

When my eyes are this itchy, I can't get any good sleep either, so I really need help!


Am I doing something wrong? Has anyone else had this problem? Any solutions are welcome!

P.S. Any ideas if those protein tablets could help me?

Thanks so much in advance!
Amarpreet

Scleral lenses are made from the same material as RGP lenses so protein build up is a possibility. When I wore RGP lenses I used to use protein removal tablets for RGP lenses.

Scleral lenses are also thicker so the thicker you make a gas permeable material the slower the rate of ioxygen transfer which can result in some cases oxygen starvation of the cornea.

If it were me suffering this, I would call the eye clinic and discuss with the optom just as a precaution.

Hi
I've been wearing sclerals now for about 8 years and for most part they have been brill. When I first got them my eyes would go red when removing them, which was caused by lack of oxygen getting to the eyes and the suction effect when taking them out. This did resolve after a few months, it was where my eyes were not used to wearing the lenses.

I found that I had to gradually increase the wearing time instead of wearing them for long periods strait away. I also find it useful to refresh the lenses throughout the day as this allows oxygen to the eyes.

For the dryness and itching I find using celluvisc 0.5% eye drops when wearing my lenses very helpful. I also use celluvisc 1% when not wearing my lenses and before going to sleep as this really relieves the scratchness of my eyes. These eye drops are expensive but I have mine prescribed by my GP which brings the price down.

I now wear my lenses for up to 14 hours per day but it did take a while so give your eyes time to adjust and don't overwear them. I would also discuss your problems with your specialist as everyones eyes are different and what might be right for me may not be the same for you.

Hope thats helpful

Thanks for the replies!

My next appointment with the eye hospital is in a month's time anyway, but I am going to see how I can manage for a week or so with some of Dolphin's methods before I contact the hospital.

Many Thanks!
Amarpreet