Refitting from RGPs

Advice on how to refit into KeraSoft IC from RGPs

Overview

If a patient with normal corneas was to choose to have refractive surgery, there would be a recommendation to leave RGP lenses out for a period of time before surgery.

This is due to the fact that rigid lenses mould the cornea (indeed, the process of Ortho K depends on this happening) and the cornea needs time to return to its normal state before surgery, so that proper assessments can be made.

This process can take around 6 weeks for normals (1) and may take considerably longer for a softer, keratoconic cornea.

This demoulding effect should always be taken into account when refitting into KeraSoft IC from a rigid lens modality

• If a patient continually swaps between RGPs and KeraSoft IC, the prescription will continue to fluctuate.
  
  

Managing corneal changes when refitting from RGPs

How long will demoulding take?

The predictive factor for demoulding is the number of years the patient has been wearing RGP lenses.

• RGP wear for up to 6 years with a good fit
  • Mild to moderate Keratoconus, fit straight into KeraSoft IC.
  • Most corneal changes will take place in first 6 weeks
  • Do not be tempted to change fit or power in first 2-3 weeks
  • Prescription will likely change by the time new lenses arrive

• RGP wear over 6 years/advanced cases
  • Fit a spherical power KeraSoft IC
  • Leave for 3 months before attempting to provide correct power

• RGP wear over 5 years with scarring or very poor fit
  • Scarring will increase demoulding time
  • Disposables can be useful for assisting demoulding
  • Recheck topography and/or prescription at your discretion until cornea appears reasonably stable
  • Then refit into KeraSoft IC

Once a patient has been refitted successfully, vision and prescription then tend to remain stable.

Always consider refitting one eye at a time to ensure patient can see at all times