Keratoconus explained

Keratoconus is a condition whereby the cornea becomes thinner and then distorts under the influence of the normal internal eye pressure. This distortion means that normal vision cannot be obtained with regular glasses – these are designed to work with undistorted corneas.

To be able to see more clearly, a contact lens needs to be fitted to smooth out this distortion. The conventional way of fitting contact lenses is to use Rigid Gas Permeable lenses (RGPs) becasue the rigid surface immediately smooths out the distortion. However, rigid lenses are also very uncomfortable for keratoconics, who tend to have more sensitive eyes than "normal". and not all people can tolerate long wearing times in these lenses. Also, RGP lenses are implicated in the formation of central scarring which can lead to needing a graft. 

Soft Lenses for keratoconus

Thus SGHO promotes soft lens wear for keratoconics and can will see patients who cannot tolerate RGP wear. However, waiting times for the keratoconus clinic can be quite long. Your optometrist can refer you in to the clinic for topography – this is a mapping of your eye which shows how advanced your keratoconus is and can also measure the corneal thickness.

There is also a self help group for keratoconus in TnT – the Trinidad and Tobago Keratoconus Group.    website