UK Keratoconus Self-Help and Support Association

Having recently been to my local opticians for my yearly check up and photo of the back of the eye I was amazed to see how much better equipped they were compared to the hospital. No old school frames on face in this place a high tech machine that rotated different lenses in front of my eye. Now this has lead me to think going private for my KC treatment. The hospital seemed so antiquated after my visit to the optician you can't help but think can I get more from going private.

I don't want to come across as ungrateful for what the hospital have done but I wonder if my vision can be improved from going private.


Is there a chance my vision can be improved by going private? Speculative question I know,

It rather depends where you go but, in my experience, I'd say yes

Hi, yes I too agree ... But see also my recent comments (and people's experiences) in Let Off Steam for some other considerations.

Best wishes

Chris

I'd say 'maybe'.

What is important is seeing someone who is highly experienced and has access to enough different types of contact lenses to find the ones that will work for you.

A few months ago I was looking for a particular protein remover and called in at a local opticians to see if they stocked it. The optometrist happened to be in reception and I got chatting to her. She did fit KC but she agreed that in my case I was probably better served at the regional hospital as they would have the time to fit me.

So for me going to a local optometrist who fits a few KC cases wouldn't work. Neither do I attend the local hospital's eye department.

But attending a large hospital regional hospital is not without its problems. Not least it is 2 hours away and if there is a problem with the lenses it's a long wait until the next appointment. Not ideal, but at least I can see!

If a there was KC specialist for difficult cases on my local high street I would have gone there. Many years ago when a private optometrist, who fitted KC, failed to fit me I asked the GP to refer me to the regional rather than the local hospital.

So as I said at the beginning, you may be better of going private, but you may not.

Good Luck,

Lia

Hi

I personally think that the expertise of a specialist is the most important factor. Granted, the NHS route can have longer waiting times and a whole host of other issues associated with reduced budgets, staff being over-worked, inexperienced, etc), and so going down the private route can seem like an attrative alternative. Generally private clinics tend to have state-of-the-art equipment, etc, but again, it boils down to the expertise of the professionals working with that equipment.

Best wishes.

Caroline.

Hi Longmover

I am sorry, but having the latest "toys" is not sufficient for good management of KC. The answer to your question, is, may be, but it all obviously depends on the quality of service you are currently getting from your NHS eye clinic. As others have said, you need someone with interest in KC with access to a large selection of fitting sets, and time to spend with you. Unfortunately time is often scarce in NHS clinics due to long waiting lists. So, if you dont feel your current NHS practitioner is able to spend enough time with you, looking at various lens options, and doing the best for you, by all means consider private option, but try not to be too influenced by the level of equipment alone.