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Alternatives to RGP

Posted: Sun 17 Nov 2013 11:49 pm
by Chris1986
Hi all,

it has been a long time since i have been on line here, so long I required a new account. I have had keratoconus for around 4 years now and i have used RGP lenses for approx 2 years, most recently piggybacking on top of soft lenses. I have struggled with these lenses throughout this time my main issue with them is that wearing the lenses makes my eyes extremely sore even after 2 years of use, as my eyes are so sore wearing the lenses causes my eyes to water constantly which means my vision is as bad as when i don't have the lenses in. The NHS solution to this is that i need new lenses and with time i will get used to them, my eyes will stop watering etc, but it is generally to no avail so after nearly 2-3 years and many sets of lenses, including piggybacking i got completely fed up and sacked them off... Just wondering what my options are for treatments other than RGP and other what other places there are to go for treatment other than the NHS in the uk, i found a specialist ophthalmologist about 15 miles from where i live who offer treatment for keratoconus but naturally they do not come cheap,

Any advise would be greatly received

Chris

Re: Alternatives to RGP

Posted: Mon 18 Nov 2013 10:48 am
by Anne Klepacz
Hi Chris,
I'm afraid there's no easy way out of contact lenses for those whose KC isn't mild enough for spectacles to give good enough vision. Options such as Intacs or crosslinking still leave most people needing contact lenses for good vision. But there are other contact lens options - special soft lenses for KC work for some, others find sclerals or semi sclerals more comfortable than the corneal rgps. Not all NHS hospitals offer all of these options, but you could ask your GP to refer you to another hospital for a second opinion.
And you may find an optometrist near you on the list of KC friendly optoms on the home page of this site who provides different lens options (though you'd have to pay commercial prices).
Anne