Anyone wear Rigid Gas Permeable (RGP) contacts?

[fuzzybabybunny]

Turns out I am not a candidate for Lasik - I have keratoconus, meaning my cornea is losing structural integrity over time, so anything that removes more corneal is the exact opposite of what I should do. I'm going to try and get myself custom fitted with contacts in a couple weeks, and hope in a couple of years something comes out that can fix my keratoconus.

RGP contacts are it. They are the only ones that could theoretically correct my vision completely. I can't wear soft ones. I used to, but my eyes would get dry too quickly - I actually taught myself how to yawn on command, about once every 5 minutes, when wearing soft ones.

So how are RGP contacts?

 

[arcenite]

You take some nice photos, you Rabid Soggy Moose.

 

[InflatableBuddha]

It's rigid GAS permeable BTW.

No idea - I wear breathable soft lenses (Night & Day) and they work well for me.

 

[rcpratt]

I also have keratoconus. I wear a large RGP (I forget the brand, it'll come to me in a second) in my left eye...it's about a half inch in diameter. It took awhile to get fitted with one that worked, but once I did I find it very comfortable. I wear mine 16-18 hours a day, which is far too long and leaves my eye mildly bloodshot (just the outside corner, not the inside) most of the time. However, I don't have a choice because I have severe keratoconus in both eyes on top of just plain awful eyesight...I simply can't function without it in.

As for the right eye? I couldn't get it fitted in one of those RGPs. I've been trying to fit it for about four years now. I've also tried the SynergEyes, which has a more traditional sized (1/4 inch?) RGP center with a soft-contact like skirt. Couldn't get those to work, either. Next thing I'm trying is (with a new ophthalmologist, I've been through three) a plain old traditional RGP, which was never tried before because they didn't think they could "balance" it on my cone. I'm not optimistic, but whatever. The next step is potentially scleral lenses or "intacts", small plastic semicircles surgically implanted in my eye to normalize the shape of my cone, which would hopefully allow me to wear RGPs.

Sorry for the horror stories. Mine is pretty severe, if yours is just mild you won't have these issues.

 

[fuzzybabybunny]

I also have keratoconus. I wear a large RGP (I forget the brand, it'll come to me in a second) in my left eye...it's about a half inch in diameter. It took awhile to get fitted with one that worked, but once I did I find it very comfortable. I wear mine 16-18 hours a day, which is far too long and leaves my eye mildly bloodshot (just the outside corner, not the inside) most of the time. However, I don't have a choice because I have severe keratoconus in both eyes on top of just plain awful eyesight...I simply can't function without it in.

As for the right eye? I couldn't get it fitted in one of those RGPs. I've been trying to fit it for about four years now. I've also tried the SynergEyes, which has a more traditional sized (1/4 inch?) RGP center with a soft-contact like skirt. Couldn't get those to work, either. Next thing I'm trying is (with a new ophthalmologist, I've been through three) a plain old traditional RGP, which was never tried before because they didn't think they could "balance" it on my cone. I'm not optimistic, but whatever. The next step is potentially "intacts", small plastic semicircles surgically implanted in my eye to normalize the shape of my cone, which would hopefully allow me to wear RGPs.

Sorry for the horror stories. Mine is pretty severe, if yours is just mild you won't have these issues.

Half an inch is big - do the edges of the lens irritate you?

Hopefully RGPs will work for me then. How much am I looking to spend? $300 for the doctor's visit and maybe $50 a lens for $400 total?

Not sure if you've heard, but in addition to Intacs there's a new thing called C3R. It's a drop that further stabilizes your cornea (actually adds additional collagen links) that when paired with Intacs produce very good results. There's one doctor in LA that does it starting at $3,000 per eye, but the C3R is still being approved by the FDA. Maybe another 2 years before it's approved?

 

[Quazi]

I was prescribed with the Rose K lens when I first developed Keratoconus (age 18). I HATED it, it felt like they stuck a spec of dust in the corner of your eye and left it there all day. After about an hour or so you learn to ignore it but you will know its there unlike a soft lens. They are not that horrible but you will wish you could go back to soft lenses.

Long story short, my left eye got so bad I needed a cornea transplant. (age 20) The transplant wasn't so bad I have to say and it worked well. Right eye has a relatively minor slope compared to the left so I can get decent vision with glasses though I'm probably 20:30 instead of 20:20 with the hard lens but I prefer to comfort of the glasses over the better vision.

(WOW I stopped lurking for this)

 

[rcpratt]

They almost never irritate me. I think they're actually more comfortable than soft lenses, once you get used to them. I'm really not very picky about them though, so I wouldn't be surprised to hear if other people hate them. Took me awhile to get used to putting them in correctly...you have to fill the lens with saline and get it in your eye without any air bubbles getting in. Sometimes they get a little dry towards the end of the day but nothing too bad.

Figured out what mine is - it's called a Jupiter...but there's not much information about them online. I think I paid $200-$250 for this one lens, they're expensive, but they can last up to a few years. You can get a pretty hefty discount (2 for $300 maybe) if you get multiples, since they're completely custom, the most expensive part is actually designing them.

I've heard about the collagen cross-linking thing, hopefully that gets approved and is widely available soon.

 

[Locut0s]

I'm so used to wearing glasses that while I'm sure I would look better without them it would be hard personally to switch.

 

[destrekor]

Eventually I should look into RGPs. I currently wear CV's AirOptix Aqua and Astigmatic monthly lenses. Only ones that are comfortable through my Dry Eye Syndrome. Even then, would prefer more comfort, but if I want contacts I guess these might be as comfortable as I can get.
Not sure though, RGPs might bring more comfort for me, if they would fit correctly.

Hoping Restasis helps clear this up over time too.

 

[Kaervak]

I've been wearing RGP lenses for a little over ten years now. I would like nothing more than to go back to soft lenses or get PRK. The RGP lenses aren't horrible, but I'm not crazy about them like some people are. I have fitting issues with my right eye. I can almost always feel my right lens no matter how accurately they map my eye. The advantage is you pay $70 a lens and they last you a few years.

Anyway, try them out and see if you like them. Some people swear by them, and other hate them. I'm kinda in the middle about them.

 

[xCxStylex]

I've been wearing RGP since I first got contacts about 11-12 years ago.

I might have that same "kerawwtf" that you guys have also, because my eyes fall out of shape when not wearing my hard lenses. I've tried soft, but because of my astigmatism, I can't see well out of my left eye, with glasses or soft contact.

In terms of wearing them, if you ever get an eyelash under your contact (happens to me a lot) it's painful as fck. It really sucks, but the discomfort is the price I pay to see well :[

 

[The_Dude8]

Does wearing Rgp lenses come loose easily comparing to soft lenses, like when you're playing sports, softball, running, flag football, etc?

Thanks

 

[ChAoTiCpInOy]

RGP contacts are awesome. Don't need to take it out every night. When I do take it out I still have good vision for the day. They're great.

 

[rcpratt]

Does wearing Rgp lenses come loose easily comparing to soft lenses, like when you're playing sports, softball, running, flag football, etc?

Thanks

I've never had an issue with mine falling out, although they are a larger (1/2 inch diameter) RGP. They're much more secure than soft lenses. I've heard of people having issues with the more traditional sized RGPs falling out, though.

 

[M0oG0oGaiPan]

It's working...

 

[xCxStylex]

wtf D: Mine get cloudy with protein, and I'm not sure exactly why, but I do know that it's bad for your eyes because they don't get enough oxygen.

If you still have vision good for a day, you are lucky that your eyes are not very bad

RGP contacts are awesome. Don't need to take it out every night. When I do take it out I still have good vision for the day. They're great.

 

[ChAoTiCpInOy]

I have some solution that has protein remover. When I take it out I let it soak in that overnight. My optometrist keeps saying I have too much protein buildup when I go for my checkup.

Yeah my vision isn't that bad. But it's pretty awesome. When I take it out I have 20/20 for about an hour or so and then it'll start going back. But when I have my contacts in I think I do have better than 20/20, but not sure about that.

 

[Udgnim]

you'll get used to them eventually

just don't be lazy about cleaning them

 

[white]

As long as my eyes aren't dry or get an eyelash/dust under the lens, I don't notice them. I think I wear ones from Boston and it's important to get a good fitting.

Sometimes they accidentally pop out on their own and I lose it, but that hasn't happened in awhile (knock on wood).

 

[ChAoTiCpInOy]

Surprisingly I've never had them pop out.

 

[Fenixgoon]

i wear a special type of RGP's that use a method called orthokeratology (Ortho-k). It's sort of meant as an alternative to laser eye surgeries because you only have so much corneal tissue to work with (about 300 microns). That way you can get laser surgery later in life if you so desire, but you're not taking away any tissue while you're young.

Basically the lens physically reshapes the cornea to give you "perfect" vision. The effect is temporary. Unlike most lenses, you wear these to sleep, then take them out in the morning.

Ortho-k is only applicable to certain vision ranges/conditions. I'd highly suggest checking it out. I've used Ortho-K for the past 9 years and have had fantastic results with it.

 

[BEL6772]

I've been waiting for a cure to keratoconus for about 20 years now. Still no cure in sight. I'm using custom-fit RGP's. The ones I have to use are expensive ... ~$400 for the pair, but I'm able to get 20/20 in one eye and 20/50 in the other.
My left eye has a much steeper slope, which makes it harder to fit. I occasionally have the left contact de-center ... slides off the iris but stays in the eye. That's no fun. Other than the de-centering thing, I'm used to the contacts now and only have comfort issues if I leave them in for more than 17 hours at a time.

 

[Viper GTS]

RGPs were really rough on my eyes. Great vision but they just beat the hell out of my corneas. Eventually I had too much scarring and contacts were no use. I had my first cornea transplant at 23 and the second 18 months later. I have been very fortunate, both of my transplants turned out very well. Aside from a couple fragments of suture that are still buried and may eventually surface I am essentially in maintenance at this point.

http://pics.bbzzdd.com/users/ViperGTS/cornea6weeks.jpg

that's what my first one looked like six weeks post op.

Anyway as long as you can get away with contacts do it. Transplants weren't a lot of fun.

Viper GTS

 

[destrekor]

i wear a special type of RGP's that use a method called orthokeratology (Ortho-k). It's sort of meant as an alternative to laser eye surgeries because you only have so much corneal tissue to work with (about 300 microns). That way you can get laser surgery later in life if you so desire, but you're not taking away any tissue while you're young.

Basically the lens physically reshapes the cornea to give you "perfect" vision. The effect is temporary. Unlike most lenses, you wear these to sleep, then take them out in the morning.

Ortho-k is only applicable to certain vision ranges/conditions. I'd highly suggest checking it out. I've used Ortho-K for the past 9 years and have had fantastic results with it.

How much did it cost you, and do you achieve 20/20 during the day?

I'm about 20/40, 20/50... contact prescription is -1.50 for both eyes, one eye has astigmatism, at -0.75.

It appears I am eligible, and with my Dry Eye Syndrome, laser correction doesn't sound like a great idea. Wearing them only at night sounds great, my eyes would love the comfort of no lenses in the day.

Though I would be a little worried about getting deployed and having these things. Wearing contacts every night might not be a possibility on some occasions, and hell, impossible to predict such a thing in general. But the issue of going awhile without them and the corneas starting to return to the natural shape, that could be a nightmare to deal with.

:hmm:

 

[rcpratt]

RGPs were really rough on my eyes. Great vision but they just beat the hell out of my corneas. Eventually I had too much scarring and contacts were no use. I had my first cornea transplant at 23 and the second 18 months later. I have been very fortunate, both of my transplants turned out very well. Aside from a couple fragments of suture that are still buried and may eventually surface I am essentially in maintenance at this point.

http://pics.bbzzdd.com/users/ViperGTS/cornea6weeks.jpg

that's what my first one looked like six weeks post op.

Anyway as long as you can get away with contacts do it. Transplants weren't a lot of fun.

Viper GTS

What kind of contacts have you worn since the transplants, or have you just worn glasses? Unfortunately transplants are probably something I'm going to have to start considering soon.