New member with a few questions

[Lynn White]

Hi Seb,

I am a UK optometrist so will try and answer your queries and plese feel free to ask me more questions.

RGP's - yes they are designed to move around and this is often a problem with KC, as with this condition, the apex of the cornea, the "highest" point, if you like, is often offset from truly central. This often means that lenses move around in a circular fashion as they drop down, causing the effects you describe. Yes, a larger lens means a tighter fit - but only if you keep the back curve measurement the same. With such a change in the overall diameter you are describing in the new lens you are getting, I am sure the Dr will have to flatten the back curve to maintain an ideal fit.

Fitting RGP contact lenses to a KC eye is fairly complex and it often takes a few tries to get the optimal fit. As you suggest, some settling of the cone takes place as well and this affects the fit as well. The best you can do is explain everything you see and feel to the fitter so that he can compensate.

For you personally, I think the lens movement is an important point, as to fly you need reliably sharp vision - you can't exactly wait for a clear moment! For this, soft lenses would be better, as Jayuk suggests, especially as you have not had KC for long. However, the ones he suggests may not be available in the States because of FDA issues. It costs a lot for lenses to go through FDA approval and many manufacturers simply can't afford the process, so that many lenses that are available here to members may not be over there.

Cross linking. Why they ask for "years" of topographies is that this is a new technique and one that people tend to try when all else fails rather than being the first choice of treatment. Many feel that at least a contact lens is a reversible option - if you run into problems then you simply take it out - any surgical technique including cross linking is irreversible. Yes, it is hoped CR3 will halt progression, but its in its early stages which is why its still expensive in the US and difficult to find centres that do it.

It appears to me you are still in the shock and depression stage of finding out you have this condition - mixed with an anger that it has interfered with your life plans - very understandable, but not exactly the place to start making big decisions. Take time to explore contact lens options more throroughly and do a lot more research before you do anything in haste.

I am happy to answer any other queries you have.

Lynn