UK Keratoconus Self-Help and Support Association

HI all,

I got my first RGP lenses on Monday after struggling with glasses for years now and so far so good. I think they will need 'tweeked' a little but my vision is unbelievabley better and I'm now looking forward to excellent vision for the first time in many years.

However, when I take my lenses out and put my glasses back on, my vision is worse than ever. I can imagine it is my eyes adjusting from the lenses, but it takes a good few hours to get any kind of acceptable vision. Is this normal? Are my eyes just getting used to the whole lens experience? As I say, I only got my RGP's yesterday so maybe I'm expecting too much too soon.

Barry.

Hi Barry and welcome,
It's great that you're getting such an improvement with your rgp lenses.
What you describe when you put your glasses on after the lenses have been in for a bit is perfectly normal. I'm no scientist, but I think what happens is that the lenses tend to 'reshape' the cornea a bit while they're in. So when you take them out, it does take several hours before the cornea reverts to its 'normal' shape (normal for KC that is!)
What I do these days for my glasses prescription is to arrange an appt with the optician for late afternoon, when my lenses have been in all day. The vision is then tested for my post lens corneal shape, so the prescription is right for the next few hours. By the time it goes off again, I'm ready for sleep anyway!
So once you've built up your lens time and maybe had your lenses 'tweaked', you could try getting new glasses for your 'post lens' vision if you want sharper vision in the evenings.
Good luck
Anne

Many thanks for the reply. That makes perfect sense.

My only worry about this is that when I get my new glasses prescribed for after lens/evening use, they will be no good for the odd occasion I decide to have a 'day off' the lenses. I suppose I can't have it always and I can keep a hold of my current glasses for those times.
I really shouldn't complain, given the degree of success I am enjoying.

Thanks again for taking the time to reply.