Managing With Lenses
Posted: Sat 12 May 2012 3:14 am
Hey everyone,
Ive had Keratoconus now for approximately 4 years. Before this it was diagnosed as astigmatism and was missed until I was about 15. I was having to have glasses changed every 6 months or so. Up until now i've had almost all types of lenses apart from hybrids. I started with those tiny blue lenses that are first prescribed and have now moved up to scleral lenses. I have also had corneal hydrops in my left eye, which can only be described as a royal pain in the rear end...
I have advanced keratoconus and have been told by my doctor that my left eye is actually in the corneal graft range, however I have been using SO2 Clear lenses which are very good. The thing is i've read a few posts on here about people not being able to cope with lenses. For me it took about 6 months for my eyes to 'adapt' to lens wear, and even now i have 'good days and bad days'. What i have tried lately though (and what seems to be working quite well) is to fill my lenses with dry eye drops instead of the prescribed saline solutions. My optometrist has assured me this is safe and can be practised freely. I think the biggest change at the moment though is the fact I have been using an eye heat pad. All these are are packs with like a rice content that you put in the microwave for 30 secs then use for 10 mins morning and night. I find that by combining these elements my lenses work much better. So to anyone who is having trouble with lenses my biggest advice is to stick with it. But my trick is a combination of a) Dry eye drops instead of saline. b) Heat pad, 10 mins morning and night. But most importantly cleaning the lenses is essential. I also find that sleep is vital... for any reason a lack of sleep one night will have a serious effect on my ability to wear the lenses the next day, whether because of psychological effects or actual physical effects on the eye, lack of sleep does have an affect. All KC sufferers are different, Ive managed to find a few practises that enable me to use contact lenses with advanced KC 90% of the time. See if this helps anyone, if it does then great!
Keep at it !
Lewis
Ive had Keratoconus now for approximately 4 years. Before this it was diagnosed as astigmatism and was missed until I was about 15. I was having to have glasses changed every 6 months or so. Up until now i've had almost all types of lenses apart from hybrids. I started with those tiny blue lenses that are first prescribed and have now moved up to scleral lenses. I have also had corneal hydrops in my left eye, which can only be described as a royal pain in the rear end...
I have advanced keratoconus and have been told by my doctor that my left eye is actually in the corneal graft range, however I have been using SO2 Clear lenses which are very good. The thing is i've read a few posts on here about people not being able to cope with lenses. For me it took about 6 months for my eyes to 'adapt' to lens wear, and even now i have 'good days and bad days'. What i have tried lately though (and what seems to be working quite well) is to fill my lenses with dry eye drops instead of the prescribed saline solutions. My optometrist has assured me this is safe and can be practised freely. I think the biggest change at the moment though is the fact I have been using an eye heat pad. All these are are packs with like a rice content that you put in the microwave for 30 secs then use for 10 mins morning and night. I find that by combining these elements my lenses work much better. So to anyone who is having trouble with lenses my biggest advice is to stick with it. But my trick is a combination of a) Dry eye drops instead of saline. b) Heat pad, 10 mins morning and night. But most importantly cleaning the lenses is essential. I also find that sleep is vital... for any reason a lack of sleep one night will have a serious effect on my ability to wear the lenses the next day, whether because of psychological effects or actual physical effects on the eye, lack of sleep does have an affect. All KC sufferers are different, Ive managed to find a few practises that enable me to use contact lenses with advanced KC 90% of the time. See if this helps anyone, if it does then great! Keep at it !
Lewis