What are the options for KC patients in the UK

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gagazzo
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Newbie
Posts: 1
Joined: Sat 21 Sep 2019 2:30 pm
Keratoconus: Yes, I have KC
Vision: Contact lenses

What are the options for KC patients in the UK

Postby gagazzo » Sat 21 Sep 2019 2:41 pm

Hi all,
I have been a KC sufferer for over 20 years now. I started off wearing small rigid lenses back when I lived in Poland. The pain was unbearable and I gave up. I was then referred to a specialist who prescribed SynergEyes ClearKone lenses. I wore them since (probably 16+ years) and simply love them.
Since I moved to England some 11 years ago whenever I needed my lenses changed I always went to Poland to see my trusted optician. These lenses are very expensive though and I feel that I’m probably losing out on what NHS offers (would they refund SynergEyes lenses?)
Could anyone tel me what are the options in the UK? My GP doesn’t even know that I have this condition.
Thanks
Krzysztof

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Anne Klepacz
Committee
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Posts: 2265
Joined: Sat 20 Mar 2004 5:46 pm
Keratoconus: Yes, I have KC
Vision: Graft(s) and contact lenses

Re: What are the options for KC patients in the UK

Postby Anne Klepacz » Sun 22 Sep 2019 11:40 am

Hi Krzysztof and welcome!
Most of us get our lenses from a hospital eye department where, because we have a clinical need for specialist lenses, we pay the NHS price of £57 per lens, whatever the type of lens involved. So that probably would be cheaper than you're paying in Poland, but I'm not sure whether all hospital contact lens departments would offer the SynergEyes lenses. You would need to ask your GP to refer you to a hospital (if possible, one in a large city, where they see a lot of patients with KC and have a lot of expertise in the condition).


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