When to Start Wearing Contact Lenses?

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Alastair MacDonald
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When to Start Wearing Contact Lenses?

Postby Alastair MacDonald » Tue 04 Jun 2013 9:20 pm

I was diagnosed with KC in Oct 2009, when I was 31. My KC was very mild when diagnosed and I have not had to start wearing contact lenses or glasses yet. The KC is just clinically detectable in my right eye and the vision in that eye is very good. The KC in my left eye has progressed slowly since I was diagnosed and the vision in that eye is quite poor; for example, I can hardly read normal text with my left eye on its own. As the vision in my right eye is fine, my overall vision with both eyes is pretty much fine.

At my last appointment at the eye clinic in Feb, the ophthalmologist referred me to the contact lens clinic, so I could try a contact lens in my left eye; without much discussion or explanation. I was surprised by this suggestion, because one year previously at the eye clinic the optician said that if they gave me a contact lens for my left eye, I would not wear it because the vision in my right eye is fine. And in the summer of last year my own optician did not seem to think there was any need for me to start wearing a contact lens in my left eye. On Wed last week (22 May) I went to the contact lens clinic and contact lenses have been ordered for me. Again, there was very little discussion of whether I should start wearing a contact lens in my left eye. I therefore have some questions about whether I should do so.

1. What I would really like to know is this: do I need to wear a contact lens in my left eye when the vision in my right eye is fine? The optician at the contact lens clinic said that I would notice very little difference in my vision with both eyes if I wear one. He also said that when people with KC in only one eye are given contact lenses, they often do not wear them. This raises the question of why they give contact lenses in such cases and whether it is necessary to do so. The impression I have gained from my experience is that they do not seem to know the answer. And also that there is little scope for meaningful discussion during these appointments.

2. A related question is this: is it wisest to not wear a contact lens in my left eye until it is definitely necessary to do so? I have read on this forum that there is a risk that wearing contact lenses can speed up the progress of KC and that it is therefore better to put off starting wearing them until it really is necessary. When this is considered along with what I have written above, it suggests that since the vision in my right eye is fine, I would be better not wearing a contact lens in my left eye yet. It seems that only a small benefit would be noticed by my doing so and that the risk of wearing one may out-weigh that benefit. Why should I risk speeding up the progress of KC in my left eye when the vision in my right eye is fine and I am able to get by without contact lenses?

These are of course issues I will need to discuss with my own optician, who thankfully is very good at discussing things with me when I see him, but I cannot see him before I am due back at the contact lens clinic to be shown how to put in and remove the lenses. I would really appreciate getting the opinions of people on this forum; thank you.

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Andrew MacLean
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Re: When to Start Wearing Contact Lenses?

Postby Andrew MacLean » Wed 05 Jun 2013 11:28 am

My son has keratoconus, and manages very well with glasses. He did wear RGP lenses for a short time, but reverted to his specs thinking that he would be better to manage with glasses for as long as he could.

I agree with his thinking and support him in his decision, but each of us has to make up our own mind. Ophthalmologists and Optometrists give advice but we have to decided. all the best in your decision making; I reckon your reasoning is sound.
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kieran19685
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Re: When to Start Wearing Contact Lenses?

Postby kieran19685 » Wed 05 Jun 2013 11:33 am

Hi

I think that may be a question only you can answer - if your overall vision is good enough then i personally wouldnt.

Can you read PC screens etc clearly?

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Lia Williams
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Re: When to Start Wearing Contact Lenses?

Postby Lia Williams » Thu 06 Jun 2013 7:41 am

Hi Alastair,

Alastair MacDonald wrote:What I would really like to know is this: do I need to wear a contact lens in my left eye when the vision in my right eye is fine?


Although you don't need to wear a contact lens in your right eye to see, you may find that your overall vision is improved if you do especially as you say that your vision is quite poor in your right eye. It depends on your visual needs. Which is why some people who have a lens for only one eye don't always bother to use it. If you are prescribed an RGP it isn't really a lens for occasional use as you would need to build up wearing timing and wear it most days. Soft lenses may not give as good vision as an RGP but they are easier to adapt to and could be worn occasionally. There are some specialist KC soft lenses on the market that work very well for some people.

Alastair MacDonald wrote:there is a risk that wearing contact lenses can speed up the progress of KC

I don't think this is the case. Badly fitting RGP lenses can cause corneal scarring, but corneal scarring can occur without lenses being worn, so if you do get lenses it is important to attend contact lens check-ups. Just because lenses feel comfortable doesn't mean that they are a good fit!

If you don't get on with RGPs you could ask about soft lenses. Even an ordinary astigmatic soft lens might improve the vision in your right eye and hence your overall vision. So in summary I would say give contact lenses a try and see if your overall vision is improved.

Lia

Alastair MacDonald
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Re: When to Start Wearing Contact Lenses?

Postby Alastair MacDonald » Thu 06 Jun 2013 3:30 pm

Thank you to Andrew, Kieran and Lia for your comments.

In answer to Kieran's question: yes, I can read PC screens etc clearly.

I am going to hold back on making a decision on this until I speak to my optician about it. I am not going to start wearing a contact lens in my left eye without having discussed it with him. He is extremely helpful and is very good a discussing matters with me. Once I have made a decision, I will provide an update here.

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Steven Williams
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Re: When to Start Wearing Contact Lenses?

Postby Steven Williams » Fri 14 Jun 2013 12:39 pm

Alastair

My advice would be dont take risks if you have to.

Only wear contact lenses when g;lasses fail to give you the vision you need especially if you have "dry eyes"

Maybe its worth you considering CXL treatment to stabilise the condition and prevent further progression.

Alastair MacDonald
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Re: When to Start Wearing Contact Lenses?

Postby Alastair MacDonald » Mon 17 Jun 2013 8:17 pm

Thanks Stephen.

Actually, I do have quite dry eyes and am affected by blepharitis. The optician at the contact lens had quite a job getting the contact lens out! It really felt like it was "stuck" onto my eye. I am going to consider this seriously before making a decision, but basically I feel that it is better to not start wearing a contact lens until I definitely need to.

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Steven Williams
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Re: When to Start Wearing Contact Lenses?

Postby Steven Williams » Fri 21 Jun 2013 11:19 pm

A wise decision imho Alastair


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