I have recently been diagnosed with KC and been prescribed RGP lens. I have been having problems putting these lens in every day and finding the right place on my eyes. The lens themselves improve eyesight in my left eye but not as noticablein my right eye (due to the asymmetry of the condition).
I am currently debating whether I should do without the lens as i can see ok without them at present (i have good vision in my right eye) and i am unsure if i am doing more damage to my corneal due to the problems i have fitting them every morning. Also, when they are in, my eyes always look tired and half open, is this normal when wearing lens?
Your thoughts on the matter would help put my mind at ease.
cheers
RGP lens problems?
Moderators: Anne Klepacz, John Smith, Sweet
RGP lens problems?
steve
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GarethB
- Ambassador
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You do not say how long you have had the RGP lenses.
Mine took a while to get used to and due to the shape of the eye, if I try and use the eye straight away, I can blink the lens out of position. Once I have put the lens in, I have to tilt my head back and look down. This makes the lens rest between the cornea and lower eye lid and when you do blink, it allows the lens to find its natural position and settle.
I also put a bit extra solution into the lens before I put it in so if I do have to move it, there is a lubricating liquid layer for the lens to slide on. I have had my lenses for about 3 months now and I no longer look like my eyes are half shut or blood shot.
Artificial tears might help, Minims are recomended by many on this site, but I use the AMO Blink eye drops for contact lens wearers. They really helped.
If you are still concerned, see the specialist who fitted the lenses.
Regards
Gareth
Mine took a while to get used to and due to the shape of the eye, if I try and use the eye straight away, I can blink the lens out of position. Once I have put the lens in, I have to tilt my head back and look down. This makes the lens rest between the cornea and lower eye lid and when you do blink, it allows the lens to find its natural position and settle.
I also put a bit extra solution into the lens before I put it in so if I do have to move it, there is a lubricating liquid layer for the lens to slide on. I have had my lenses for about 3 months now and I no longer look like my eyes are half shut or blood shot.
Artificial tears might help, Minims are recomended by many on this site, but I use the AMO Blink eye drops for contact lens wearers. They really helped.
If you are still concerned, see the specialist who fitted the lenses.
Regards
Gareth
Thanks for your reply,
I was diagnosed with KC in the summer and got lenses at xmas but I have only started wearing them day to day in the past 2 weeks due to an exam period i had at the start of January. I know in time i will get used to them, but that is what im worried about. Today i am not wearing my lens (call today an experiment) and my eyesight is not as good as "normal". I plan to wear my lens day to day but not when i go out for a night or play sport (for risk of losing them).
However, i fear that if i wear them everyday, i will not be able to get by without them. At present i can see normally and read at a reasonable distance without the lens because my right eye compensates for my left.
My next appointment at moorfields isnt until april so i was wondering if anyone had any ideas what would be best to do (ie. just wear one lens, wait until i need lens for "normal" vision et)
Although it may be one of those things i have to decide for myself.
Apologises if this seems trival but as someone who has only recently been diagnosed with KC and who has been without lens for a period, i am unsure whether the benefits outweigh the cons at this present time.
Again, i may be the only one to decide this but others viewpoints may be helpful.
cheers
I was diagnosed with KC in the summer and got lenses at xmas but I have only started wearing them day to day in the past 2 weeks due to an exam period i had at the start of January. I know in time i will get used to them, but that is what im worried about. Today i am not wearing my lens (call today an experiment) and my eyesight is not as good as "normal". I plan to wear my lens day to day but not when i go out for a night or play sport (for risk of losing them).
However, i fear that if i wear them everyday, i will not be able to get by without them. At present i can see normally and read at a reasonable distance without the lens because my right eye compensates for my left.
My next appointment at moorfields isnt until april so i was wondering if anyone had any ideas what would be best to do (ie. just wear one lens, wait until i need lens for "normal" vision et)
Although it may be one of those things i have to decide for myself.
Apologises if this seems trival but as someone who has only recently been diagnosed with KC and who has been without lens for a period, i am unsure whether the benefits outweigh the cons at this present time.
Again, i may be the only one to decide this but others viewpoints may be helpful.
cheers
steve
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Paul Morgan
- Chatterbox
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- Joined: Sat 06 Nov 2004 3:11 pm
- Keratoconus: Yes, I have KC
- Vision: Contact lenses
- Location: Yeovil, Somerset
Steve
I don't think it's a trivial question. I have been wrestling with exactly the same sorts of dilemas since i got lenses in November.
My sight is reasonable in my opinion, and I'm worried about becoming lens dependent before it's necessary.
My eyes look like I've just taken a right hook when I'm wearing lenses, although I'm assured it gets better, and I have all sorts of fun fitting the damn things when I can bear to put them in.
My big hope is now as in my other post.These new softer lenses. Keep an eye on the forum and I'll update you if they're good.
It's a real struggle, and I know what you're going through, I guess the answers to these questions are all down to personal judgement and doing what makes you most comfortable and happy within the framework of the professional advice you are receiving.
Best of luck mate.
I don't think it's a trivial question. I have been wrestling with exactly the same sorts of dilemas since i got lenses in November.
My sight is reasonable in my opinion, and I'm worried about becoming lens dependent before it's necessary.
My eyes look like I've just taken a right hook when I'm wearing lenses, although I'm assured it gets better, and I have all sorts of fun fitting the damn things when I can bear to put them in.
My big hope is now as in my other post.These new softer lenses. Keep an eye on the forum and I'll update you if they're good.
It's a real struggle, and I know what you're going through, I guess the answers to these questions are all down to personal judgement and doing what makes you most comfortable and happy within the framework of the professional advice you are receiving.
Best of luck mate.
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paula hardman
- Contributor
- Posts: 44
- Joined: Fri 07 May 2004 7:21 am
- Keratoconus: Yes, I have KC
- Vision: Contact lenses
I found my 'aim' improved dramatically when I stopped using a mirror. Nowadays I just put the lens on the tip of my finger and aim straight for the eye, looking straight at the lens the whole time.
Personally I wouldn't wear just the one lens, especially not the right lens, because the left eye is a bit lazy so I try to avoid squinting through one of them. However every case if different but I would question that your eyesight is 'normal' - if it were why have you been diagnosed with KC, prescribed contact lenses and are concerned about becoming dependent on them?
Since I got used to mine I have become dependent on them, but that's because I now realise how bad my eyesight is with glasses on and that the eyestrain I get when using glasses used to be so much the norm that I didn't notice I was permenantly tired.
Personally I wouldn't wear just the one lens, especially not the right lens, because the left eye is a bit lazy so I try to avoid squinting through one of them. However every case if different but I would question that your eyesight is 'normal' - if it were why have you been diagnosed with KC, prescribed contact lenses and are concerned about becoming dependent on them?
Since I got used to mine I have become dependent on them, but that's because I now realise how bad my eyesight is with glasses on and that the eyestrain I get when using glasses used to be so much the norm that I didn't notice I was permenantly tired.
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GarethB
- Ambassador
- Posts: 4916
- Joined: Sat 21 Aug 2004 3:31 pm
- Keratoconus: Yes, I have KC
- Vision: Graft(s) and contact lenses
- Location: Warwickshire
From personal experience, I would get used to the lenses.
When I went on holiday in August 2004, I thought my eye sight was OK (not brillient) when wearing glasses. The GP and optician said the same. When I got back from a weeks racing my car round the 14 miles of the Nurburgring I could not see a computer screen properly even though I though I could see everything else OK.
When I saw the specialist, my worsening KC was confirmed and said I was luck not to have killed my self as the sight in one eye was useless and the other was not good enough for me to legaly drive. The result was I had to take three months off work. Having been through a similar thing when I was doing a levels and started university, discomfort getting used to lenses is far more worth while than loosing three months of study.
As for wearing one lens, this is the only way I can stay sighted to do a days work. I am limited to 10 hours and from leaving home, doing a days work and collecting my daughter from School is at least 12 hours. So only 6 hours is spen sighted with one eye, 3 in the morning and three in the afternoon. It only takes a couple of weeks to get used to doing this.
Solutions and environment affect how lenses feel, I have changed mine and my lenses are more comfortable, but air conditioning and dust/smoke are really difficult for me to cope with.
As Paula says, your sight may seem normal, but having spoken to many on this board, we all thought that until we got lenses sorted and found how much better we could see.
Gradually try all the suggestions here and I am sure one or a combination will get you sorted.
Gareth
When I went on holiday in August 2004, I thought my eye sight was OK (not brillient) when wearing glasses. The GP and optician said the same. When I got back from a weeks racing my car round the 14 miles of the Nurburgring I could not see a computer screen properly even though I though I could see everything else OK.
When I saw the specialist, my worsening KC was confirmed and said I was luck not to have killed my self as the sight in one eye was useless and the other was not good enough for me to legaly drive. The result was I had to take three months off work. Having been through a similar thing when I was doing a levels and started university, discomfort getting used to lenses is far more worth while than loosing three months of study.
As for wearing one lens, this is the only way I can stay sighted to do a days work. I am limited to 10 hours and from leaving home, doing a days work and collecting my daughter from School is at least 12 hours. So only 6 hours is spen sighted with one eye, 3 in the morning and three in the afternoon. It only takes a couple of weeks to get used to doing this.
Solutions and environment affect how lenses feel, I have changed mine and my lenses are more comfortable, but air conditioning and dust/smoke are really difficult for me to cope with.
As Paula says, your sight may seem normal, but having spoken to many on this board, we all thought that until we got lenses sorted and found how much better we could see.
Gradually try all the suggestions here and I am sure one or a combination will get you sorted.
Gareth
Its good to know im not the only one who has fun and games putting the lens in (or taking them out for that matter)and who has gone a few rounds in a boxing ring every morning.
I think i am going to do without the lens for the time being. I know "normal" is hard to quantify (hence the inverted commas) but to me in means seeing a ball as it is kicked at me when im playing football (goalkeeper),seeing a powerpoint projection in a lecture theatre and reading the breaking news stories on sky sports news.
At present i can do all of the above so the lens will remain in the bathroon cabinent, although i plan an experiment with one lens in my weaker left eye.
Thanks for your views, they have all been very helpful.
And i will keep a eye open (or half an eye open if my lens are in) for these new soft lens.
cheers
I think i am going to do without the lens for the time being. I know "normal" is hard to quantify (hence the inverted commas) but to me in means seeing a ball as it is kicked at me when im playing football (goalkeeper),seeing a powerpoint projection in a lecture theatre and reading the breaking news stories on sky sports news.
At present i can do all of the above so the lens will remain in the bathroon cabinent, although i plan an experiment with one lens in my weaker left eye.
Thanks for your views, they have all been very helpful.
And i will keep a eye open (or half an eye open if my lens are in) for these new soft lens.
cheers
steve
Steve, hope you're getting on better with the lens(es) now.
2 weeks is a very short time, and no wonder you were uncomfortable. Had you tried to build up time too quickly? You really shouldn't hurry the timetable you've been given. You'll find one day that suddenly (after a month or so) you don't notice them, and won't look back! I would also suggest you have a follow up appointment to check the fit and to check your eyes are tolerating them ok. My very first pair I had over the summer vac, and was sore all the time, and nearly gave up. Back at Uni I had a check up, and the fit had t be changed...and from then onthey were fine.
2 weeks is a very short time, and no wonder you were uncomfortable. Had you tried to build up time too quickly? You really shouldn't hurry the timetable you've been given. You'll find one day that suddenly (after a month or so) you don't notice them, and won't look back! I would also suggest you have a follow up appointment to check the fit and to check your eyes are tolerating them ok. My very first pair I had over the summer vac, and was sore all the time, and nearly gave up. Back at Uni I had a check up, and the fit had t be changed...and from then onthey were fine.
I have decided not to wear the lenses for now. I have just started my final year research project so now is not the time to adapt to them
Anyway, comfort was not really a problem when i was weasring the lenses. I did have them in for a long period of time because i figured if they are in for 4hrs without pain, i ll keep them in for 8hrs. As i said i was not in discomfort.
The problem is becoming dependent on them before i have to be. For example i did not plan to wear my lenses when i play sport or go to the gym. However when i took my lenses out i could barely see anything. Since i have stopped wearing the lenses, i can get by normally (read paper, play sport,etc)without the lens. This would not be the case if i wore the lenses regularly.
I know in the end(maybe the near futre i will have to wear the lenses daily, but at present i feel i dont need them.
The optician also gave me a choice if i wanted lenses or not, i got them to see what they were like but for now i can get by without or wait until my next appointment at moorfields to see if the condition has progressed and what the specialist recommends.
Again thanks for taking an interest but for now my mind is at ease.
Anyway, comfort was not really a problem when i was weasring the lenses. I did have them in for a long period of time because i figured if they are in for 4hrs without pain, i ll keep them in for 8hrs. As i said i was not in discomfort.
The problem is becoming dependent on them before i have to be. For example i did not plan to wear my lenses when i play sport or go to the gym. However when i took my lenses out i could barely see anything. Since i have stopped wearing the lenses, i can get by normally (read paper, play sport,etc)without the lens. This would not be the case if i wore the lenses regularly.
I know in the end(maybe the near futre i will have to wear the lenses daily, but at present i feel i dont need them.
The optician also gave me a choice if i wanted lenses or not, i got them to see what they were like but for now i can get by without or wait until my next appointment at moorfields to see if the condition has progressed and what the specialist recommends.
Again thanks for taking an interest but for now my mind is at ease.
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GarethB
- Ambassador
- Posts: 4916
- Joined: Sat 21 Aug 2004 3:31 pm
- Keratoconus: Yes, I have KC
- Vision: Graft(s) and contact lenses
- Location: Warwickshire
Hi Steven,
As you now mention you thought 4 hours was comfortable so you might as well go to 8 might explain why you were having problems getting the lenses in.
I was told under no circumstances should I build the wear time up too quick, otherwise I would cause damage to the cornea! (Only repeating what I was told when I got my lenses in October 2004).
If your optician has deemed it necessary for your sight to be corrected, you will have to wear the correction when driving. Otherwise you car insurance probably will not cover you should the worst happen. I only declare KC for my motorsport license and insurance, but the small print on my normal car insurance states that if I need glasses to correct my vision for driving, they must be worn at all times (this includes contact lenses).
I wear my lenses for the maximum time advised which is currently 10 hours for me (would like to go 12 to make getting to and from work easier), but after about 20 minutes my eye sight returns to what it was in the morning. It appears drastic at first as for me it is going from near perfect vision to being partially sighted. Your sight is probably not worse after taking the lenses it, just appears so while the brain re-adjusts again and possibly the degree of hydration and oxygenation of the cornea re-stabilises.
Gareth
As you now mention you thought 4 hours was comfortable so you might as well go to 8 might explain why you were having problems getting the lenses in.
I was told under no circumstances should I build the wear time up too quick, otherwise I would cause damage to the cornea! (Only repeating what I was told when I got my lenses in October 2004).
If your optician has deemed it necessary for your sight to be corrected, you will have to wear the correction when driving. Otherwise you car insurance probably will not cover you should the worst happen. I only declare KC for my motorsport license and insurance, but the small print on my normal car insurance states that if I need glasses to correct my vision for driving, they must be worn at all times (this includes contact lenses).
I wear my lenses for the maximum time advised which is currently 10 hours for me (would like to go 12 to make getting to and from work easier), but after about 20 minutes my eye sight returns to what it was in the morning. It appears drastic at first as for me it is going from near perfect vision to being partially sighted. Your sight is probably not worse after taking the lenses it, just appears so while the brain re-adjusts again and possibly the degree of hydration and oxygenation of the cornea re-stabilises.
Gareth
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