UK Keratoconus Self-Help and Support Association

Hi there,

I am new to this Forum and delighted to have found it. I am 35 and have KC since I was 16. I had my first Graft 10 years ago in my right eye and then the left done 8 years ago. After trying different Contacts my Contact Consultant started me on the Piggy back method about 3 years and it has been a success until last November. Since then my right GP lens keeps clouding and greasing over. The only thing I can put it down to is that we went to the States for 3 weeks and there was quite a few long plane journeys. It only started to happen when we came back.

I have tried different types of Soft lens and also a different type of RGP and there has been no change. Am slightly demented at this stage as my vision is not good and my eyes get very sore. Headaches have started now which I never suffer from. God I am sounding like such a moan at this stage!!! I am due to see my Cornea Consultant now in the hope he has another suggestion. Oh meant to say that I am from Dublin Ireland. I see William Power here for my Cornea and Donal O'Malley for my Contacts.

If anyone has any experience of this I would greatly appreciate it. I'm also now very keen to find out about Kerasoft lens too as have only found out about them from going onto the Net to see if my own problem can be fixed.

Looking forward to hearing from you and getting to know you all.

thanks,
Amanda

Hi Amanda and welcome to the forum!
You've come to the right place if you want to have a moan, and I'm sure there'll be other people along who'll have had similar experiences. I hope your consultant will have suggestions for you. As you say, a lot of different lens types have been developed for KC or post graft in recent years. As well as the Kerasoft lenses you mention, there are also lenses like SoClear and the various scleral and semi scleral lenses. Do let us know how you get on.
All the best
Anne

Hi Anne,

Thanks for that. I have just spoken to my Contact Lens fitter and apparently Kerasoft is not an option for me. My prescription is too strong so they would be of no use. Very comfortable but wouldn't be able to see. I did try a Sceleral lens a couple of years ago, before the piggy backing, but my eyes would not tolerate them.
He did mention the Rose K lens. They would have to be ordered in from the UK but he is keen for me to talk to my Cornea Specialist on Thursday first to make sure there is no underlying problems with my eyes or the Grafts.

Great to have this Board though. Will keep you posted.

thanks,
Amanda

hi amanda,
i wear piggybacks in my one eye (the other is grafted). i have this greasy clouding over problem often.. it seems to build up and over the months and we have worked out that tiny little scratches get on the hard lens, and the tear oils get stuck in the scratches and make it all murky... i take them out and give them a good rub with my fingers (apparently the fingerprints help scour)... but eventually after about 6 months this isn't helping so much and i take them to my optometrist who happily polishes the hard lens for me (both sides). it takes about 10 minutes and he doesn't charge....
i also use Acuvue oasys soft lenses (which are good for oxygen permeability) and Sauflon All-in-one light as a solution (the best for my sensitive eyes- stops the burning i get from some other solutions)
... and drink lots of water....
let us know how it goes

Hi Melissa,

Thanks so much for the reply. I piggy back in both eyes and both are post graft. My vision did not improve with either graft.
So I was at my Cornea Consultant yesterday and there was alot of head scratching as he is not quite sure what the problem is. My eye is producing an oily greasy substance that is sticking to the top of the lens. So not inbetween the piggy back but on the outer part of my lens. At least though he was able to see it and I didn't feel completely mad as its hard trying to explain it to other people. The graft looks clear and he turned my lid over and thats not inflamed either.

So long story short I have to leave my lens out for a week and only use Predminin's steroids 4 times a day. No other wetting drop. He is hoping this will clear up any underlying infection they can't see. Put lens back in next Thursday and Hope to God that it stops! Back to see him then the following week.

I have just re read your post and you say this has been happening to you over a course of months. In my case I clean my lens again in the morning and by mid morning it has completely greased over. Take out, clean again and the process starts again. Computers and lights def make it worse.

So am managing with only my left eye for a week. Glasses are not an option for me as my prescription is too strong. Will take a couple of days for my eyes to get used to just one lens.

thanks again for the reply, will let you know how it goes.
Amanda xxx