KeraSoft®3 Improves Vision in Trinidad & Tobago

Release date: 11 Sep 2008

Lynn White MSC FCOptom, UltraVision's Keratoconus Consultant, was recently invited to help Keratoconus sufferers in the Caribbean by presenting contact lenses options and a series of Clinical Sessions at a Conference in Trinidad & Tobago's Sangre Grande Hospital.  The conference, Eye Care Week, was held in the Sangre Grande Hospitals Ophthalmology Department and organised by Petra Bridgemohan, Principal Optometrist at the Hospital.  The aim of the conference was to draw attention to conditions that affect the eye, such as diabetes and glaucoma, but the highlight of this event was Keratoconus - this is a poorly understood condition which seems to affect people in the Caribbean more than the US or Europe. Lynn White gave three presentations.  The first was an introduction to Keratoconus in Trinidad & Tobago, in her next presentation Lynn talked about the use of soft contact lenses as an alternative treatment to GP lenses or spectacles.  An Overview of Keratoconus Case Studies was presented to delegates and patients by Lynn, along with Dr David Jory a consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon at The London Centre for Refractive Surgery. Keratoconic patients who are GP intolerant often have very poor vision in spectacles, leading to them only able to Count Fingers or see Hand Movements.  Until now, the only option would have been a corneal graft, which many families could not afford.  However, after being assessed with state of the art topography equipment, and fitted with KeraSoft®3, UltraVision's Silicone Hydrogel contact lens for Keratoconus, these patients are now able to achieve good vision and comfort and crucially a much improved quality of life.  The opportunity to attend the Conference and Clinical Sessions presented by Petra Bridgemohan, Lynn White and Dr Jory were keenly welcomed by all the practitioners. An example of an interesting case was that of a 14 year old boy, who had previously been fitted with GP lenses but due to discomfort had to wear spectacles.  For 6 months his vision was acceptable, however, after this time, the Keratoconus progressed so that spectacles were no longer effective and he struggled to see at school.  He was delighted with the improvement in his vision when fitted with KeraSoft®3 lenses and is now forging ahead with his schoolwork.  His father, who has been inspired to set up a Keratoconus self help group (www.tntkcg.org), was also delighted and said 'The wonderful opportunity to interact with Dr Jory and Mrs White, and the ease with which they dealt with us all, made the experience one of hope and knowledge; their sharing of expertise is highly commendable and we are extremely grateful for their gesture of goodwill and sharing.  This was hugely rewarding for the patients, the level of comfort felt and more than that, signs of better vision was already quite evident. My son is now able to wear the lenses for no less than twelve hours on most days with little, if any, discomfort and more importantly better vision.' You can find further information about UltraVision's Silicone Hydrogel contact lenses by visiting their dedicated Keratoconus website, www.kerasoft3.com.  Further information on their wide range of SiH lenses can be found by visiting www.siliconehydrogel.co.uk.  Alternatively, please contact UltraVision's friendly Customer Service team by calling Freephone 0800 585115.