UK Keratoconus Self-Help and Support Association

Hi,

Just a quick question which I am sure has crossed peoples mind at some point is, is it still possible to wear glasses as an ad hoc solution instead of GP lenses?

I have a strong case of KC in my left eye with a prescription of sphere: +1.25 & cylinder: -8.00. My right eye is pretty decent so is compensating for left. I'm finding it too much of a hassle and inconvenience and strain to wear contacts, so how would I feel if i was to get glasses to suit the prescription above?

Please bare in mind I don't intend on wearing the glasses full time. I only intend on wearing when I at work behind a desk or if I'm going shopping.

Any ideas?

Thanks

Yes it is!

My optometrist, when I was first fitted with RGP lenses, recommended that I got glasses as a stop gap. I am afraid that my specs became like bottle bottoms, but they allowed me to watch tv without lenses.

Every good wish.

Andrew

Thanks for your reply Andrew.

After speaking to several High Street opticians they were reluctant to prescribe with glasses in these circumstances. They claim they do not know how I would react and adjust to them. One optician has said that it may feel like 'im in a fish bowl'?

It can feel a bit like that, and if you are like me you'd be unable to drive with glasses. But they do offer the chance of sitting watching tv without screwing up your eyes or eating into your lens-wear time.

Hi there Has

Totally agree with Andrew -- since my stiches came out following my graft I've had a pair of glasses made up. The vision is far from perfect and I certainly can't drive in them or do anything detailed such as computer screen tasks, but they're fine for watching TV (apart from the credits at the end and those annoying tickers on the news channels !) and general housework. As I can't have any sort of lens fitted for a few months at least, it's that or really rubbish vision.

So it might well be worth going back to your optician and saying "hey, don't worry, I'm not expecting any miracles here and I won't moan if I have to pay a few hundred pounds for something that isn't 20/20 but can you try your best and see what you can do for me ?" They're probably concerned that you've got high expectations which they can't deliver -- so reassure them that you're prepared to be realistic.

A good rule-of-thumb as to when it might be worth trying to get a pair of glasses prescribed seems to be, can the Autorefractor get any sort of reading. No doubt proper professionals who know what they are doing can tell you if my rough guide is a load of rubbish -- but my experience suggests that if you're not so encumbered by astigmatism or really high myopia (i.e. you're within what the Autorefractor will resolve) glasses aren't a complete waste of time and money.

We've got a list of Keratoconus-friendly optometrists somewhere on the main part of our site -- let me know if you want to try somewhere that is willing to give it a go and I'll find out where it is !

Best wishes

Chris

Thanks Chris! some really helpful info!

Do u you think I could use them while at work behind a desk look at a computer screen?

Hi Has -- it all depends on what the optometrist can achieve with the glasses prescription. For me the answer is no, but others may have had better outcomes than I. Ultimately, the constraint is what the actual shape of your cornea is. A lens which doesn't sit on the eye and null out the optical defect which the Keratoconus is causing (i.e. a pair of glasses) has limitations which can never be overcome no matter how good the optometrist is. Sometimes you get a cornea shape which is simply too complex to correct with glasses and still give you display screen equipment usage quality of vision. But for another person with Keratoconus, they might be fine...

Only way to find out is to sit in the big chair and look at the letters

Cheers

Chris

I have done pretty much everything in glasses. Looking at computers, driving etc. I prefer to wear contacts though. I have quite a high astigmatism so the optom was surpised at how well glasses corrected my vision. I am -3.50 left eye and -9.50 right. The only way to really tell as Chris says is go for an eye test! I can read 2nd from bottom of chart left eye in glasses, 3rd from bottom of chart right eye in glasses. Bottom line of the chart in RGPS each eye.

Thanks guys! really helpful. I think im going to get glasses just as a stop gap.