UK Keratoconus Self-Help and Support Association

I had a routine yearly eye test on Saturday, and the optician has told me I need to go back to the hospital to see a corneal specialist. She mentioned contacts and cross linking, I've been trying to do research into cross linking and I'm struggling to find out if it's available on the NHS in my area (Glos). I also tried contacts (rigid) several years ago and I just couldn't get on with them - and I'm afraid that I still won't and my sight will just get so bad that I can't work etc....

If I request them will the hospital supply me with soft lenses? Are they more expensive than rigids? I've had KC for years, and been managing just fine with glasses, but apparently I'm going to get minimal improvement with glasses this time.

Reassurance and information would be great!!

Thanks

Hello and a belated welcome to the forum.
Contact lenses for KC have come along a lot in the last few years, so there's various types to choose from. Although the rigid lenses for KC are the cheapest (and usually give the best vision) for people who really can't get on with them, a hospital should be able to provide alternatives (special soft lenses for KC, piggybacking or wearing a soft lens under a rigid one, hybrid lenses or scleral or semi scleral) If you e-mail your postal address to anne @keratoconus-group.org.uk I can send you more information about the options.
There are very few hospitals offering crosslinking on the NHS at the moment although quite a few private clinics do it. Maybe that will change in the next year or two. Meantime, I hope your appt goes well and you'll find some lenses that are comfortable for you. There's lots of people here who manage pretty well with lenses of some description.
All the best
Anne