Rapid Vision Changes and first RGPs
Posted: Fri 10 Feb 2012 3:21 am
Hello all,
I am new to the forum but certainly not new to KC. I was diagnosed 4 years ago at 17, although I was aware of degeneration in my left eye prior to diagnosis. I have been, for lack of a better term, lurking on the forum for awhile now as a guest, and unfortunately haven't seen anyone with a similar problem to what I've encountered in the past year.
Six months ago I had sets of specialty hybrid lenses made (August 2011). My optometrist, who specializes in fitting KC patients, was unable to get a set with satisfactory fit and vision until late December, when we ordered a year's supply. I have had the typical glare, light sensitivity, and the other hallmark symptoms of KC for awhile, but began to notice more intense headaches than I had encountered previously, centered around my left eye (the more affected one). My ophthalmologist said that this could not be from the KC, whereas my optometrist said this COULD be a side effect of the contact lens wear. Both advised seeing a general practitioner to rule out any underlying condition. Like many others, I was given a clean bill of health. I have also experienced dizziness, nausea and insomnia, and I continue to believe that this is due to KC, although my doctors assure me that it isn't.
Around Christmas I noticed much much more intense light sensitivity, so bad that I had to take to wearing sunglasses all the time, purchasing several pairs of various tint levels. My frustration with my poor vision continued, as did the headaches and various assorted maladies. Eventually, I had a pair of glasses made as a "backup to relieve my eyes at days end" (My optometrist's words). I continued to complain of poor vision, but was assured that I could see "well enough," and that this was simply the nature of the condition.
As of 1/31, a checkup revealed corneal abrasions that the doctors claimed could be causing the pain, and told me to remove my contact lenses for two weeks, allowing them to heal. As a student, it's incredibly difficult for me to read regardless of the correction, and I felt that the glasses provided far worse visual acuity (I am blind in my left eye with glasses). However, my doctors assured me that this was in my head, and that my visual acuity was fine.
I continued to feel that my vision was poor, and returned to the doctor on 2/1, demanding a refraction. Refraction revealed that my prescription had gone up by a total of more than three diopters in both eyes, an increase of prescriptive power of over 150% for each. After having an emergency 1 hour lens fabricated so that I could prepare for midterm examinations, I was better able to see.
However, the next day (2/2) I noticed something strange. The ghosting became more intense, and the halos were becoming larger. Text became less clear. We called the doctor and said that the glasses were incorrect, but they stated that this was impossible, and that if I really wanted them checked, I should wait till after the weekend, although they assured me that it was just my eyes getting used to the increased power. However, when refracted again on Monday, we found that my right eye had increased by ANOTHER DIOPTER in a matter of five days. He didn't bother to check my left eye, as they've given up on correcting it. The doctor said that he had never seen that large of a change in a matter of five days.
Since having the new lens fabricated, I have noticed the same loss of visual acuity, but my doctors assure me that this is "normal." My most recent examination revealed a change of a 0.25 diopters, but this was within the "margin of error for two refractions." While the abrasions have healed for the most part, the headaches, light sensitivity and other maladies have remained. My doctors continue to assure me that this is completely unrelated to KC, and that I am able to see adequately.
Tomorrow I go for RGP fitting, but I have questions for everyone, namely -
Has anyone ever experienced a change this significant over this short of a time period?
If my eyes can't tolerate the soft contacts, is there any point in trying the hard ones?
I apologize for the extreme length of this post, but I am really struggling. I've had to consider dropping out of school because of this situation, and am fighting my doctors every step of the way. I've had to stop driving my car, riding my bike, and struggle to get around normally. I've also had to apply for disability at my school, and am as of yet unable to read standard-sized print. Additionally, the financial strain of this is huge - I've spent over $3000 (USD, yes, I am a yank) on vision correction in the past two months, and most of it is now outdated. I couldn't find any situations similar to this on the forum, so I decided it was advisable to at least ask.
Thanks in advance for reading my Gilgamesh-ian epic, and I appreciate any answers you may have.
Cheers,
Mike
I am new to the forum but certainly not new to KC. I was diagnosed 4 years ago at 17, although I was aware of degeneration in my left eye prior to diagnosis. I have been, for lack of a better term, lurking on the forum for awhile now as a guest, and unfortunately haven't seen anyone with a similar problem to what I've encountered in the past year.
Six months ago I had sets of specialty hybrid lenses made (August 2011). My optometrist, who specializes in fitting KC patients, was unable to get a set with satisfactory fit and vision until late December, when we ordered a year's supply. I have had the typical glare, light sensitivity, and the other hallmark symptoms of KC for awhile, but began to notice more intense headaches than I had encountered previously, centered around my left eye (the more affected one). My ophthalmologist said that this could not be from the KC, whereas my optometrist said this COULD be a side effect of the contact lens wear. Both advised seeing a general practitioner to rule out any underlying condition. Like many others, I was given a clean bill of health. I have also experienced dizziness, nausea and insomnia, and I continue to believe that this is due to KC, although my doctors assure me that it isn't.
Around Christmas I noticed much much more intense light sensitivity, so bad that I had to take to wearing sunglasses all the time, purchasing several pairs of various tint levels. My frustration with my poor vision continued, as did the headaches and various assorted maladies. Eventually, I had a pair of glasses made as a "backup to relieve my eyes at days end" (My optometrist's words). I continued to complain of poor vision, but was assured that I could see "well enough," and that this was simply the nature of the condition.
As of 1/31, a checkup revealed corneal abrasions that the doctors claimed could be causing the pain, and told me to remove my contact lenses for two weeks, allowing them to heal. As a student, it's incredibly difficult for me to read regardless of the correction, and I felt that the glasses provided far worse visual acuity (I am blind in my left eye with glasses). However, my doctors assured me that this was in my head, and that my visual acuity was fine.
I continued to feel that my vision was poor, and returned to the doctor on 2/1, demanding a refraction. Refraction revealed that my prescription had gone up by a total of more than three diopters in both eyes, an increase of prescriptive power of over 150% for each. After having an emergency 1 hour lens fabricated so that I could prepare for midterm examinations, I was better able to see.
However, the next day (2/2) I noticed something strange. The ghosting became more intense, and the halos were becoming larger. Text became less clear. We called the doctor and said that the glasses were incorrect, but they stated that this was impossible, and that if I really wanted them checked, I should wait till after the weekend, although they assured me that it was just my eyes getting used to the increased power. However, when refracted again on Monday, we found that my right eye had increased by ANOTHER DIOPTER in a matter of five days. He didn't bother to check my left eye, as they've given up on correcting it. The doctor said that he had never seen that large of a change in a matter of five days.
Since having the new lens fabricated, I have noticed the same loss of visual acuity, but my doctors assure me that this is "normal." My most recent examination revealed a change of a 0.25 diopters, but this was within the "margin of error for two refractions." While the abrasions have healed for the most part, the headaches, light sensitivity and other maladies have remained. My doctors continue to assure me that this is completely unrelated to KC, and that I am able to see adequately.
Tomorrow I go for RGP fitting, but I have questions for everyone, namely -
Has anyone ever experienced a change this significant over this short of a time period?
If my eyes can't tolerate the soft contacts, is there any point in trying the hard ones?
I apologize for the extreme length of this post, but I am really struggling. I've had to consider dropping out of school because of this situation, and am fighting my doctors every step of the way. I've had to stop driving my car, riding my bike, and struggle to get around normally. I've also had to apply for disability at my school, and am as of yet unable to read standard-sized print. Additionally, the financial strain of this is huge - I've spent over $3000 (USD, yes, I am a yank) on vision correction in the past two months, and most of it is now outdated. I couldn't find any situations similar to this on the forum, so I decided it was advisable to at least ask.
Thanks in advance for reading my Gilgamesh-ian epic, and I appreciate any answers you may have.
Cheers,
Mike