Piggybacking??

[Cheesypeeps]

Hi
I am new to this forum. I have had KC for about five years now and have kinda had my head in the sand regarding it. I'm struggling to admit I'm struggling with my sight. I do attend at the Gart navel hospital. Initially I had soft lenses and I now wear GP lenses. I have been struggling with one of them. And ended up at hospital yesterday and today as result of having cornea ulcer.
I has made me realise my sight is quite bad. Thing is though... I don't feel I am getting the necessary advice. I have only seen a specialist once. Otherwise it is just the woman that fits my lenses at the contact lenses clinic. Is this normal?

Also what is the next stage after GP lenses not working?

Any advice would be greatly received.
Cheesy

[Andrew MacLean]

Hello Cheesy

Welcome to the forum. I am sorry that you are having such trouble with your rgp lenses; they are usually the first port of call for contact lens fitters trying to offer good correction to people with keratoconus.

I am afraid that corneal ulcers are part of the common experience of many of us; but there are other lens options available. My all time favourite is the Scleral lens. A hard and frankly huge bit of plastic, it sits on the sclera (the white bit) of the eye and vaults over the cornea. Some people like soft lenses that are made specially for people with keratoconus, some prefer hybrid lenses and some go for piggy backing.

I can't speak to the way your hospital organizes things, but I can see why they would rely on the skill of the optometrist to determine whether you need to see an ophthalmologist. I have always had separate appointments with each, but when I have been with the optometrist, she had been able to arrange a there-and-then meeting with an ophthalmologist when things needed attention.

Every good wish.

Andrew

[Cheesypeeps]

Thanks Andrew for your reply. Really appreciate your advice. Will ask my optometrist about these options on my next appointment, as I never knew they existed, hence a lot of my frustration about this condition/ treatment options.

[Anne Klepacz]

Hi Cheesy,
Just to add that if you'd like our information booklet on KC and a DVD of a recent conference, just e-mail your postal address to anne@keratoconus-group.org.uk and I'll send them to you. You'll then be on our mailing list for future newsletters and other updates.
Good luck
Anne