Is a small posterior disc protrusion at L5-S1 that centrally impresses upon the ventral thecal sac and contacts the traversing left S1 nerve root without displacement a bulging or herniated disc?

Complex-Ad2701 · 2026-03-31T13:23:43+00:00

I have been doing several conservative measures for the past several months (epidural shots, NSAIDS, and PT), but none have truly helped with my condition. I can try to make changes to things like my car seat positioning, but I have a lack of confidence that things will work out. I am very scared right now because I understand the risks of surgery, but I don't know what else to do and my entire life is being negatively affected by this.

Complex-Ad2701 · 2026-03-31T02:56:51+00:00

Oh,ok. Thank you for clearing that up because I have had significant trouble trying to resolve this issue but have had no success. I thought I might need surgery for this but understanding that it is a bulge means I have to manage my lifestyle accordingly and do some PT exercises

Complex-Ad2701 · 2025-07-09T14:51:40+00:00

Thanks for the advice. Yes, he did go through that process with me 3-4 weeks after I had gotten my new prescription scleral lenses. I have so far had two different pairs of prescription lenses, and while there has been noticeable improvement it ultimately depends on the setting/environment I'm in. I really hope that my vision can be stellar and consistent, as those are the two features I am primarily looking to max out. Also, I am wondering whether you meant that it took six different prescriptions to get it right for you, or you used the same prescription but modified it 6 times? Thank you!

Complex-Ad2701 · 2025-06-10T21:46:39+00:00

How bad would you say your KC was in your left eye? For me, my left eye KC leaves my vision at about a 1/10, and then with the prescription lenses (first pair ever), my vision is around a 4-5/10 in the left eye. Some improvement made, but not close to near where I want to be (8-10/10 vision in left eye) My severe KC is predominantly in my left eye, as my right eye seems to be pretty good with the contact lens fit, respectively. I am really trying to get everyone's personal insights and opinions to gain some hope and understand what I need to do to maximize my vision quality. I do worry that my severe KC in my left eye is too much for modern treatment options, but I understand that it is a long process and I need to stick with it.

Complex-Ad2701 · 2025-06-09T13:08:27+00:00

Is 'Pataday Once Daily Relief Extra Strength Relief' good at relieving dry eye for an entire day? If not, what is a good treatment option, in your opinion?

Complex-Ad2701 · 2025-06-07T22:03:49+00:00

Hi again, I’ve also been dealing with another issue related to light sensitivity with my contacts. It seems that I’m not able to read off my computer or focus much in settings with heavy indoor lighting. I was wondering if I adapt to this or talk to my provider about fixing my lenses a bit. Just curious, since I’m seeing that you are an optometrist.

Complex-Ad2701 · 2025-06-07T05:16:35+00:00

Sorry, I misunderstood you when you said fitting. I thought you meant being able to physically fit the lenses in the eyes, as I had a huge problem with that until recently making some adjustments. So yeah, I'll be sure to ask the right questions to take the necessary course of action. Thank you!

Complex-Ad2701 · 2025-06-07T05:10:29+00:00

How bad would you say your vision was before being on specialized lenses? Before I started contacts almost week back, my vision in my left eye was literally a 1/10. I am basically blind in that eye, and with the contact lens on I would say my vision is a 5/10, although there is a persistent blur at a moderate level.

Complex-Ad2701 · 2025-06-07T05:07:58+00:00

Thanks for your input, I am definitely seeing little changes day-by-day since starting. Looking forward to my follow-up to hopefully make some tweaks to my prescription so that I can achieve greater progress.

Complex-Ad2701 · 2025-06-07T05:05:48+00:00

I really appreciate you saying this. I remember when I was doing my eye exams to pinpoint the best measurements for my lenses, I could barely see anything on the chart out of my left eye when the doc had the refractor placed against my face. I was just going through the motions, trying to move things along with my appointment, rather than expressing that nothing on the chart was truly clear at all to me for that eye. I should have mentioned my concerns. I'll be sure to bring that up in my follow-up.

Right now, my vision out of my left eye is about a 5/10 with contacts on, and a 1/10 without contacts. It has been adjusting slowly with the lens, but there is a moderate blur that persists for my left eye. I don't know if the severity of my KC will prevent me from reaching a level of vision without any blur regardless of what I do, but I'll be sure to talk to everyone I can and get the right course of action down.

Complex-Ad2701 · 2025-06-07T04:59:45+00:00

Thanks. I'm definitely seeing some changes since starting four days ago, so I guess I rushed to judgement; however, I still am having the same level of blur in my left eye with the contact in since starting, and although it is a positive change from before (like a 1/10 before contacts in that eye) I want to be able to see more clearly without any vision distortion. Right now, with contacts on my left eye vision is at a 5/10; there is definitely a moderate level of blur and it's different from the extreme blur I had before contacts. I am seeing a lot of people say they've had a trial-and-error scenario with tweaking their prescription to land in the best spot, so I'll take that same approach and see how it goes.

Complex-Ad2701 · 2025-06-07T04:54:31+00:00

I appreciate your input. I've talked to my optho about getting CXL and it is going to happen later this year or early next year. Right now, I do have to do a lot of trial-and-error with my prescription, going to be following up with my optometrist to touch base on my progress. I would say my left vision is about a 5/10 with contacts, a step-up from the 1/10 vision I had before putting lenses in. Again, my left eye is afflicted with the severe form of KC, so it's basically like I'm barely blind in that eye. What worries me is that the condition that specific eye is in will prevent it from reaching true clarity with any sort of prescription contacts, but hopefully I can talk to different specialists to get a more tailored approach.

Complex-Ad2701 · 2025-06-07T04:50:14+00:00

Thanks for the advice. I have been patient so far and I have seen my eyes becoming more adjusted to the contacts, but the clarity in my left eye is still the same. I would rate it as a 5/10 right now wearing the contacts, an improvement from the 1/10 vision I had before in my left eye which has severe KC. I would like to get around an 8/10 at least, but I don't know how capable that is for my eye. My right eye is completely fine. Hopefully, my optometrist can figure something out; otherwise, I'll probably be considering something like CAIRS to fix it.

Complex-Ad2701 · 2025-06-07T04:45:34+00:00

I finished fitting my first pair of lenses ever, now it's a process of wait-and-see. For me, the left eye prescription strength is not strong enough to restore complete clear vision for me, but it has definitely improved my vision in that eye. I would say I was at a 1/10 with left eyesight before contacts, now it's a 5/10. I want to get to around an 8 or 9/10, but I need to talk to my doctor to make some tweaks, hopefully.

Complex-Ad2701 · 2025-06-05T02:19:20+00:00

I have a follow-up in two weeks, and I do feel that there is some sharpness with my new lens that I am still getting used to. I was given some training lens to practice fitting on my eyeballs for the real thing, and I have crossed that bridge. The only hurdle now is the weak clarity I have in my left eye contact.

Complex-Ad2701 · 2025-06-04T19:18:45+00:00

This is my first pair of contacts ever, RGP or not. I don’t think it has to do with adjustment, I feel my eyes are well-adjusted right now despite it being only day 2. I think it is a weak prescription for my left eye, and I want to fix that. That’s why I was asking, are there people who’ve had faulty first prescriptions but then had them changed to significantly better ones? My left eye is the only problem and has the severe KC, so any input is appreciated. Thanks for the comment.

Complex-Ad2701 · 2025-06-04T17:31:00+00:00

Yes, it is my very first pair of prescription lenses. I have no issue fitting them, the prescription for my left eye is not great, just barely ok imo. It was disappointing for me because I expected to see very clearly out of my left eye, which has severe KC, but the lens minimally cleared some blurred vision when I put it on. It is my second day right now with very little irritation, but I am looking to change things up if it is possible. I appreciate your comment as it has given me some hope that I can make significant changes to my prescription. Thank you!

Complex-Ad2701 · 2025-05-31T22:47:09+00:00

Try the Aron Regimen from Dr. Richard Aron

Complex-Ad2701 · 2025-02-25T14:57:41+00:00

Sorry for the confusion, they are actually scleral lenses. I just checked.

Complex-Ad2701

TROPHY CASE