Sclerals and contact lens DE

[Rebecca Petris]

I have been fitted by both BFS and DrG, successfully, I have a long relationship with both, and I have referred people to both frequently over the years because of the great respect I have for the technologies and the personal commitments of the physicians and the remarkable track records.

So, I appreciate all the information and experiences shared here and I know that everyone means well. But when a lot of money and a lot of potential for disappointment are involved, people end up with strong opinions. And sometimes even with the best of intentions, opinions can be presented as facts rather than opinions. So I want to encourage you all to keep the tone even, be careful not to sound authoritative when you're only presenting opinion, be careful about accuracy matters, and keep personal experiences in perspective. To me, these are both great resources - very different in nature but both very valuable - and I hate to see anything that looks like comparisons adverse to any of them on these boards.

On the insurance question, I just want to add one small point: Whether you can get your lenses covered by insurance will also depend on the condition for which you're being treated. For example... sclerals for a twice failed corneal transplant patient is a different matter (from the insurer's standpoint) than sclerals for a dry eye patient with severe pain but limited clinical signs and no vision involvement.

[ALK-O'd]

Texaseyes, I know you have done very well with Dr G and I am happy for you. Perhaps my wording was poor in comparing the two facilities although I did clearly mention that it was my personal opinion. But to clarify, I am not in any way shape or form stating that Dr G is an “inexperienced” scleral lens fitter or that one practice is better than the other. Not at all. I have a very high respect for both facilities and I have spoken directly with Dr G in the past although I am not a current patient of his.

My point is that each practice has certain aspects that make them stand out from others nationwide. Dr G’s technology is unique and top of the line but is also relatively new. Perhaps similar technology and fitting methods will even someday prevail in practices around the world – and he will be credited for fathering it. BFS on the other hand has been focused on fitting and designing sclerals for a considerably longer period of time. The combined level of experience there is unparalleled. I’m merely pointing out the HIGHLIGHTS of the two practices – not trying to pit the two against each other.

Also, to be clear, I wasn’t trying to suggest that the two practices should merge. Of course not!! My point there, (and again, just a personal opinion) is that it would be nice to see an exchange of ideas take place between the two. A meeting, a presentation of fitting methods used at a medical conference, a phone call etc… And perhaps it already has. I like see ideas being shared between pioneering doctors in general for the good of all patients. BSF and Dr G are not competitors nor was it my intent to present them in that fashion. I apologize if I did.

[Rebecca Petris]

The BFS team and DrG have been designing specialized RGPs of different types in different ways and on a different scale for, to a large extent, different types of patients for a great many years. Both are developing and embracing new technologies, as one would hope. The results are, in my view, complementary services that occasionally overlap.

p.s. It's BFS, not BSF

[ALK-O'd]

BSF is the correct version of the typo . Ok, I have to go now, my wife is yelling at me too...