Hard vs Soft contact lenses

[ilianandreev]

Hello all,

I have a couple of queries that hope someone might reply to

1. Which kind of lenses could cause corneal scarring (I know this is very bad for the cornea)?
2. Can you recommend some special sort of soft lenses for Keratoconus that you're having success with?

The more opinions the better!

[Shelf]

Going to be lazy and copy something I have written before - then give you an update:

This is an open letter to the Keratoconus group - dated 15/04/2012

My name is Simon Vickers, my prescription details defining the extent of my Keratoconus are included below. I wanted to take the time to write to you to tell you about my experiences with contact lenses and contact lens providers.

I have always led an exciting lifestyle, extreme and combat sports are my idea of fun. So finding out I had keratoconus was a bit of a body blow. I not only realised that my eyesight was a lot worse than I had feared, I really struggled putting in my lenses and I mean really struggled. I had one technician tell me I would never manage it and that I was a nightmare patient. My eyes still cannot tolerate hard lenses and it took me a year and multiple lessons with Richard Cox from N.F. Burnett Hodd to handle putting in soft lenses. But eventually I managed it.

Sophie Taylor-West also at Burnett Hodd got me onto Kerasoft 2 soft lenses and all of a sudden I could see. I mean properly see. They were easier to put in than hard lenses and piggy back lenses and they gave me terrific vision. I will never be able to express how grateful I am to these guys.

I took 12 months off work and went travelling again, spending a Snowboard season driving across Europe to the key ski resorts.

On my return I saw an advert in your newsletter from Contamac who were looking to do medical trials and needed Keratoconus patients. Richard and Sophie from N.F. Burnett Hodd are some of the best in the business so to be honest I wasn’t expecting much of an improvement.

Martin Conway and the guys at Contamac agreed that the team at N.F Burnett Hodd had done a fantastic job with my prescription and there was nothing they could do prescription wise. They did however have an idea about a new lens, the Kerasoft 3 and went for a wider lens, which moves less in my eye and although being harder to put in and take out is also more difficult to lose when dropped on the floor. They also have increased lubrication which makes a real difference in terms of not getting as dirty and stuck under the eye lid - I know I sound like I work for them.

Thing is I have literally never had better vision, I continue to live as exciting a lifestyle as possible, I just get to enjoy it more as I can see more of it. This wouldn’t have been possible without the team at N.F. Burnett Hodd, the new products and assistance from the guys at Contamac and the request for patients in your newsletter.

I would like you to let anyone know who is struggling with lenses, DO NOT GIVE UP TRYING TO PUT THEM IN, they changed my life and there are people out there that can help. They helped me and I am one of the most difficult patients around, I would recommend them to anyone.

Contact me if you want to ask questions or need support: simonjvickers@hotmail.com. I also include the contact details of those that have helped me below.

Kind Regards

Simon Vickers

S Vickers Contact Lens Specification (dated 05/12/11): Ultravision Kerasoft 2

R: Series C, 14.0mm +2.00 / -4.00 x 56 VA 6/6-

L: Series D, 14.0mm -8.50 / -1.00 x 180 VA 6/7.5+2


Richard Cox - Software Engineer / Technician

Sophie Taylor-West BSc MCOptom

Optometrist:

N.F. Burnett Hodd
7 Devonshire Street
London W1W 5DY
Tel: 0207 636 2444

Martin Conway & Jane Dukes
Contamac Ltd
Bearwalden Business Park
Wendens Ambo
Saffron Walden
Essex CB11 4JX
Website: www.contamac.com

[Shelf]

The update is that since 2015 - I am now on hard lenses, ones that I have to fill up with saline prior to putting in my eye. It is more of a pain in the a**e to do, it took me ages to master ( in fact I still mess it up and get bubbles in there) but my vision is greatly improved.

Point being I started without being able to use lenses, managed to get on with soft lenses and then moved to hard lenses - please take from this what you will.

Only thing i would press home, is don't give up trying and learning especially in the early years and for things that are non-surgical.

All the best

[Lia Williams]

1. Which kind of lenses could cause corneal scarring (I know this is very bad for the cornea)?

Badly fitted ones can cause a problem.

I know I was slightly concerned when I went for an eye test and a High Street optician referred to 'all that scarring' on my corneas when only a few months previously I seen a contact lens specialist who remarked that my RGPs had been well fitted. At my next hospital appointment I queried how much scarring I had and was informed, that although I had some scarring which tends to be part of KC, it was minimal in KC terms and hadn't changed in over 15 years since I'd been attending the hospital.

As far as I know a soft lens or a larger hard lens which faults the cornea are unlikely to causing scarring. And I think I read somewhere that someone's scarring reduced while wearing a soft lens.

2. Can you recommend some special sort of soft lenses for Keratoconus that you're having success with?

I've worn contact lenses for over 40 years. I have corneal RGPs and I'm very happy with the vision they give. These days due to intolerance issues I piggyback them with soft disposable lenses which works brilliantly.

Different lenses suit different people and different visual needs. Some people get better vision with a RGP corneal lens but can't tolerate wearing it for very long so a prefer a soft lens which can be worn for longer even though their vision is not quite so good. And yet there are others who have found they get better vision with a soft lens than a hard.

What is important is to find someone who understands your visual needs and has a range of lenses to choose from so the best compromise can be found. And as a contact lens wearer we ensure we attend appointments as recommended to get our vision checked, because just because the lens is comfortable and one can see doesn't necessarily mean that the lens is still a healthy fit.

Lia

[ilianandreev]

Shelf why did you move back to RGPs when you were happy with your Kerasoft lenses?

[lovycrop]

Soft contact focal points are for the most part more agreeable to wear. They can stay set up better and are simpler to change in accordance with than hard contact lenses. The flexible plastic is combined with water to permit oxygen to pass through the contact lenses to the cornea. This builds comfort and keeps up eye well-being.